When Drugs Cause Disease

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 05 Mar 2010 - 21:00 PDT

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The same drugs that are used effectively to treat diseases in millions of people around the world can sometimes be the cause of disease themselves. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has just released the 2nd edition of Drug-Induced Diseases: Prevention, Detection and Management, edited by James E. Tisdale, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP and Douglas A. Miller, Pharm.D.

According to the authors, a drug-induced disease is an unintended effect of a drug, which results in illness with symptoms sufficient to prompt a patient to seek medical attention and/or require hospitalization. Since the first edition of this book was published in 2005, numerous drugs have been withdrawn from the market in the United States as a result of illness or death associated with drug-induced diseases. Despite best efforts to assure that all drugs are safe and effective, millions of patients each year develop drug-induced diseases. Tisdale and Miller stress that every time a patient presents with a new disease or an exacerbation of an existing condition, someone needs to ask, "Could this be drug-related?"

This popular and essential comprehensive resource provides a detailed analysis of how to identify, prevent, and manage drug-induced diseases. With contributions from experts distinguished in their respective specialties, Drug-Induced Diseases is organized logically and is easy to use for pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and pharmacy students alike.

About the Authors

James E. Tisdale, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP

James Tisdale is professor of pharmacy practice at the Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Indianapolis. Dr. Tisdale's research interests are in the area of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy; focusing on mechanisms, risk factors, and management of drug-induced arrhythmias, and drug therapy for prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Douglas A. Miller, Pharm.D.

Douglas Miller is a professor at the Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Detroit, where he teaches courses dealing with professional practice and patient care. His pharmacy experience includes practice in community, long term care and hospital settings. For more than 20 years, he led a team that conceptualized and implemented innovative clinical pharmacy services at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital. Dr. Miller served as a member of the Michigan Board of Pharmacy for 11 years including two terms as board chair.

Source
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

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