ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS HIGH ON DEATH LIST

Bad reactions to medicine may kill more than 100,000 people a year in the
United States and could be the fourth leading cause of death, say Toronto
researchers.

``The Canadian story is likely the same,'' says Dr. Bruce Pomeranz, a
professor in the University of Toronto's faculty of medicine. ``These
things tend to be vastly under-reported.''

Pomeranz and fellow researchers analyzed 39 studies on adverse drug
reactions in the U.S. and calculated an over-all incidence rate. In results
published in The Journal of the American Medical Association yesterday,
they estimated deaths from bad reactions at between 137,000 and 76,000. If
the higher end is correct, only heart disease, cancer and strokes kill more
Americans.

In addition to those who die, about 2.2 million people in the U.S. are
hospitalized or suffer disability each year from drug reactions, Pomeranz
says.

These are not because of malpractice or negligence, he adds, but are a
side-effect of properly prescribed and properly administered medications.

``The results surprised us and most people,'' Pomeranz said. ``They were
much higher than expected.''

About one-quarter of the reactions were allergic responses. Other harmful
side-effects included stomach bleeding from anti-inflammatory drugs such as
Aspirin. A variety of reactions can occur even from widely used drugs that
most people take without incident.

One of Canada's most common medicines almost killed Harry Spencer, 78, of
Orillia, when it triggered a rare allergic reaction in which his body shed
its outer layer of skin.

``I'm lucky to be alive, but it's knocked 10 years off my life,'' Spencer said.

His ordeal began when he was given a 10-day sulfa prescription to fight a
bladder infection.

After eight days, he suddenly developed spots all over his chest and back,
and blisters on the soles of his feet.

``The reaction was so severe I lost all my toenails, all my fingernails and
I was in a wheelchair for six weeks,'' Spencer said. ``The inside of my
mouth was full of blisters. I lost all the skin on my hands, and skin on my
face.''

Pomeranz, who believes raising public awareness is a key to combatting the
problem, said people shouldn't panic and quit taking prescribed medication.
They should, however, ask their doctor about possible reactions so they'll
know what to watch for.

Increased awareness is also needed in the medical profession, Pomeranz says.

``There's a move afoot already - and this study might push it over the top
- - to do more monitoring in hospitals and to have more accountability and
better reporting.''

Dr. Paula Rochon, a researcher at the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care,
who published an earlier study on adverse drug reactions, says patients are
often hit by a ``prescribing cascade.''

This occurs when a bad reaction to a drug is mistaken for a new illness and
the person is prescribed even more drugs.

``It happens a lot,'' Rochon said. ``And it can go on for a long time.''