Treatments Prescribed Despite Blackbox Warnings
Many patients are prescribed drugs with "black box" warnings (the strictest warning FDA can administer) even if the drugs are not appropriate for their medical needs, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The study found that patients who were female and older than 75 and who took several medications were more likely to be given a drug in violation of a black box warning.
Although the overall number of patients who received a drug in violation of a black box warning is relatively small, researchers said that when compared with the total number of outpatient prescriptions dispensed in the study, "the absolute number of outpatients at risk is substantial." Researchers said that one solution to decrease medical errors would be for the FDA to "make these warnings more specific so they are more readily understandable by providers."
Citation: Lasser, Karen E., et al. "Adherence to Black Box Warnings for Prescription Medications in Outpatients." Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006;166(3):338-344.
Although the overall number of patients who received a drug in violation of a black box warning is relatively small, researchers said that when compared with the total number of outpatient prescriptions dispensed in the study, "the absolute number of outpatients at risk is substantial." Researchers said that one solution to decrease medical errors would be for the FDA to "make these warnings more specific so they are more readily understandable by providers."
Citation: Lasser, Karen E., et al. "Adherence to Black Box Warnings for Prescription Medications in Outpatients." Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006;166(3):338-344.
