Adverse drug reactions: an integrated approach.

The need for early detection and a better understanding of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is well recognized today. This paper describes an approach to the study of ADRs characterized by the integration of pharmacoepidemiology, clinical pharmacology and molecular/cellular biology (pharmacogenetics). Merging of these disciplines would greatly enhance our approach to unanticipated drug toxicity and would narrow the risk/benefit margin of pharmacotherapeutic interventions. Such an integrative strategy is a key element in any initiative directed toward the promotion of optimal drug therapy. (Ref. 16.)