Drug reactions kill more than 100,000 a year, study estimates
(Chicago) -- Researchers estimate bad reactions to prescription
and over-the-counter medicines kill more than 100-thousand
Americans a year.
The experts say the adverse reactions seriously injure an
additional two-point-one (M) million every year.
This does not include the effects of prescribing errors or drug
abuse.
The researchers looked at data from 39 studies. The scientists
estimate that adverse drug reactions rank at least sixth among U-S
causes of death. A researcher at the University of Toronto says
that's surprisingly high. But he says people should take their
medicines anyway. He says the overall benefits outweigh the risks.
The study is in "The Journal of the American Medical
Association."
(Copyright 1998 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-04-14-98 1553EDT