Educational interest of systematic collection of adverse drug reactions (with regard to an experience of nearly 20 years).

In 1978, a systematic collection of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was set up in a hospital including several departments and continued for more than 18 years. Quarterly meetings were organized gathering clinicians, students, nurses and pharmacologists to discuss the clinical cases collected each quarter. Approximately 100 cases were analysed each year (1823 over the 18-year period). Educational interest resulted from (1) discussion about some ADRs frequently leading to hospitalization or consultation; (2) information about recent drugs and new and/or not well known ADRs; (3) education of physicians for a good prescription of drugs and increasing awareness of pharmacovigilance. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.