App to report adverse drug reactions launched in MAHE

Manipal: Departments of Pharmacology, KMC Manipal and Information and Communication, MIT have developed an Android app to report adverse drug reactions immediately to improve patient safety. The app called, ADRRIA (Adverse Drug Reaction reporting, identification and assessment) was launched by MAHE Pro Chancellor, Dr H.S. Ballal and Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr Poornima Baliga here at the University on Wednesday.

The unique app has been created by Dr Navin Patil and Dr Veena Nayak from the Department of Pharmacology and Mr. Akshay M.J and Mr Arif Raza from Information and Communication. “The app will go a long way in boosting the image of MAHE,” said Dr Ballal. He said that the app would be made available to the other Manipal hospitals in Mangalore, Udupi and Karkala after some time.

Praising the coming together of the two institutions, KMC and MIT, Dr Poornima Baliga said, it is a “perfect marriage” between the two institutions to innovate and create such a useful app. She hoped that many more such innovations and creativity will enhance the reputation of MAHE in future. “Our University is lucky to have so many institutions on the campus so that they can work together for the betterment,” she added.

Also present at the launch were, Dr. B H V Pai, Joint Director MIT, Dr. Sharath Rao, Dean KMC, COO Kasturba Hospital Mr CG Muthanna and Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital

Explaining use of the app, Dr Navin Patil said that an Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) was an injury caused by taking medication. ADRs may occur following a single dose or prolonged administration of a drug or result from the combination of two or more drugs. “Adverse drug reactions are a major cause of morbidity and mortality,” Dr Patil added.

The Department of Pharmacology is a recognized adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring centre of the Pharmacovigilance programme of India (PVPI).The reported adverse drug reactions when scrutinized by the regulatory authorities can result in significant impact on drug portfolio such as issue of drug warning or withdrawal of the drug.