Why are Drug Interactions Important in Epidemiology?

In epidemiology, understanding drug interactions is vital for several reasons:

Public Health: Drug interactions can influence the outcomes of disease management and prevention strategies, affecting public health at large.
Safety Monitoring: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) due to interactions can lead to hospitalizations, increased healthcare costs, and even mortality. Monitoring these interactions helps in the surveillance of drug safety.
Policy Making: Insights from epidemiological studies on drug interactions can inform regulatory policies and guidelines for safe drug use.
Clinical Trials: Understanding potential interactions is crucial in the design and interpretation of clinical trials, ensuring that results are accurate and applicable.