Senators call for task force on adverse drug events

Sens. Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) are asking for a new federal task force in reaction to a study that found that common drug medications cause two-thirds of drug reaction-related hospitalizations.

In a study published in the Nov. 24 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified four high-risk blood thinners and diabetes medications—warfarin, insulin, oral anti-platelet agents and oral hypoglycemic agents—that account for a disproportionate share of serious events such as overdoses.

"The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that avoidable hospital readmissions of Medicare beneficiaries cost the program $17.4 billion annually. Nearly one-quarter of such readmissions are directly related to adverse drug events," the senators wrote in a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebeliuis. "Evidence shows that many of these hospitalizations are entirely preventable though improved patient education and care management."

Bennett and Snowe wrote that the joint task force should look "more critically" at patient medication guides, transitions of care, electronic health-record coordination and changes in Medicare reimbursement for patients who have an adverse reaction to their medication. "We look forward to working with you as the department considers additional ways to drive down healthcare costs while improving care for our Medicare beneficiaries."