Evaluating adverse drug reactions among HAART patients in a resource-constrained province of South Africa

Abstract

The high prevalence of HIV in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, has greatly increased the demand for antiretroviral therapy (ART), resulting in an exponential increase in the number of patients initiated on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). However, little information about adverse drug reactions in these patients was forthcoming from public health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal. A compulsory system of reporting adverse drug reactions was established among patients attending accredited ART sites, with minimal resource requirements. The study sought to evaluate the adverse drug reactions reported through the new compulsory system. A retrospective audit was performed on the reporting forms received during the first year of the new system, pertaining to all patients on HAART who had experienced an adverse drug reaction that resulted in a request for a change in antiretroviral (ARV) drug or regimen. The forms for documenting adverse drug reactions were completed by...