ECONOMIC AND CLINICAL BURDEN OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS WORLDWIDE

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major public health concern, contributing to significant clinical morbidity, mortality, and economic burden globally. They are associated with increased hospital admissions, prolonged hospital stays, intensive care utilization, and additional outpatient and diagnostic costs. ADRs can be preventable, especially those related to medication errors, polypharmacy, and high-risk drug classes. Globally, ADRs account for 5–10% of hospital admissions, with serious ADRs occurring in 6–10% of hospitalized patients and fatal reactions in 0.1–0.3% of cases. The economic burden includes direct medical costs, indirect costs such as lost productivity, and intangible costs from reduced quality of life. Effective pharmacovigilance, rational prescribing, therapeutic monitoring, and patient education are key strategies to mitigate the clinical and financial impact of ADRs. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiology, clinical outcomes, and global economic impact of ADRs, emphasizing the need for preventive and policy-based interventions.