Drugs: Reports of serious reactions reach new high

28 October 2008

The number of reports of serious reactions to pharmaceutical drugs has reached a new record high in America.

In the first three months of the year, 20,745 serious adverse reactions have been reported, which is 38 per cent above the average, and the highest for any quarter. These reports include 4,800 deaths.

This sudden increase is partly due to two drugs, heparin, a blood thinner manufactured in China, and Chantix, an anti-smoking drug.

(Source: Seattle Times, October 22, 2008).

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