"Solving the methodological challenges of developing approaches to systematically leverage these data sources will be a next frontier in identifying and preventing adverse drug reactions," the authors said.

While the new study was limited to common drug combinations prescribed in one hospital system, Tatonetti and his team believe that analyses made possible through wider data sharing can be used to look more extensively at potential drug interactions.


"The analyses are relatively rapid and inexpensive to perform and they focus on drug combinations that are actually used together in clinical practice," Tatonetti said.

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