CORONERS CASES OF DEATH DUE TO ERRORS IN PRESCRIBING OR GIVING MEDICINES OR TO ADVERSE DRUG-REACTIONS - BIRMINGHAM 1986-1991

The records for Coroner's Inquests in one district during a 6 year per iod were examined retrospectively to establish the number and nature o f deaths which were due to errors in the prescription or administratio n of medicines, and those due to adverse drug reactions. The district has a population of 1.19 million (1991), and a total of 3277 inquests were opened during the period 1986-1991. Ten of the deaths mere identi fied as due to errors of prescribing or giving drugs. During the same period, 36 deaths were caused by adverse drug reactions. These 46 deat hs made up approximately one in 2000 of all deaths during the study pe riod. About a fifth of deaths related to prescribing and administering drugs are due to errors and may be more easily preventable than death s due to adverse reactions.