Antidepressant prescribing patterns and adverse events following introduction of a National Prescribing Indicator to monitor dosulepin usage in Wales.

Aims: Limiting use of the antidepressant dosulepin has been encouraged due to associated risks of toxicity. In April 2011, the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group introduced a National Prescribing Indicator (NPI) to monitor dosulepin usage. The aim of this study was to investigate antidepressant prescribing patterns, and selected adverse events in patients prescribed dosulepin following introduction of the NPI.

Improving the spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions: An overview of systematic reviews.

Aim: To conduct an overview of systematic reviews examining interventions to stimulate spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by healthcare professionals (HCPs) and/or patients/carers.

Methods: Systematic reviews published since 1 January 2000 were identified and the included publications categorized in relation to the 4Es (education, engineering, economics and enforcement).

Results: Almost all studies were aimed at HCPs.