Utilization of the imputability method for validating publications on side effects of drugs
Albin, H.; Begaud, B.; Boisseau, A.; Dangoumau, J.
Therapie 35(5): 571-576
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5957 PMID: 7209854 Document Number: 156411
A report of 118 observations of side effects, reported in a French medical journal, were analyzed. The opinions promulgated were compared by the imputability method proposed by the Hospital Pharmacovigilance Centers [France]. Employing this method, observations were classified as: doubtful (28%), plausible (24.6%) and probable (47.4%). There was a disagreement in half of the observations, which was primarily due to the incomplete nature of published data. Since bibliography on the subject of side effects has not been firmly established, all publications on pharmacovigilance ought to respect the rules of imputability.