More research on side-effects: ‘Side effects are not a side issue’
We need to be quicker and better at discovering side effects. In her inaugural lecture, Agnes Kant, Professor by Special Appointment of Innovation of Pharmacovigilance, calls for more research on these adverse effects. She also recommends a fund for independent side-effect research.
Pharmacovigilance is about monitoring drugs to prevent any adverse effects. A good understanding of side effects is important when considering which drugs to use. It is also crucial for the early detection of side effects and the prevention of adverse effects.
Patient experiences
Discovering new side effects often takes too long. As Professor by Special Appointment at the LUMC/ Leiden University, Kant is investigating how people’s healthcare experiences can help speed this up. Patient records contain a lot of information about drug use and medical complaints. Text mining, searching medical texts for specific terms or combinations of terms, can be used to detect suspected side effects.
Patients should also be asked more questions about their experiences of side effects. ‘This would help us gain more insight into how side effects develop, are dealt with and impact daily life. This knowledge, for example also about successfully managing side effects, would improve patient care.’
More specific research
Genetic factors, age, gender and underlying conditions can influence the likelihood of side effects. Pioneering research by the LUMC has shown that DNA profiling can help reduce side effects by 30%. Research has also shown that women are more likely to experience side effects. ‘The more we know about who is more likely to experience an adverse reaction and why, the better this can be prevented’, says Kant.
Her inaugural lecture pays special attention to the use of medication during pregnancy. ‘For seven out of ten drugs, we do not know whether they are safe during pregnancy’, says Kant, ‘while this is crucial information for pregnant women who need medication.’ And relatively little is known about side effects in children and the elderly, so more research could provide valuable information.
Independent fund for research
In addition to calling for more research, Kant proposes an independent fund for drug safety research funded by pharmaceutical companies. ‘Given the importance to society, there is not enough of this research’, she says.
With her professorship and calls for more research and an independent fund, Kant wants to help ensure medicines are used safely, thus improving patient health and well-being. ‘Side effects are not a side issue’, she says.