DOH asks hospitals to report adverse drug reactions

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has ordered all hospitals under its supervision to report “adverse reactions” in the use of any drug products.

In an order, DOH Undersecretary Dr. David Lozada Jr. said DOH hospitals should ensure that “all health workers in their respective institutions are oriented to report any suspected adverse reactions” to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). He added the order was intended to ensure “the safety, quality and efficacy of all drug products in the market.”

Prior to this, FDA had conducted a series of training in hospitals on “pharmacovigilance” to educate health workers in the “recognition, monitoring, reporting and management of adverse reactions.”

The DOH retained 73 hospitals under its control after the devolution of health services under the Local Government Code in the 1990s.