What is an "adverse drug reaction"?

An adverse drug reaction refers specifically to an unintended and harmful response that occurs when a person takes a medication. This reaction can range from mild to severe and may occur due to various factors such as the individual's unique biology, interactions with other medications, or errors in dosage. It is important to recognize adverse drug reactions because they can significantly impact patient safety and treatment outcomes.

Understanding the significance of adverse drug reactions is crucial for medication technicians, as they play a vital role in monitoring and reporting these reactions to healthcare providers to ensure patient safety. This is in contrast to beneficial responses or normal reactions where the medication is performing as expected or causing minor, expected effects.