Guidelines for anecdotes might include more information

Editor—We agree with Aronson on the need for a uniform presentation of anecdotes and case reports by using common standardised guidelines.¹ His proposed guidelines are complete and systematic, but some items could be added to improve this format.

In the drug treatment section, the contents should include prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, and preparations of complementary and alternative medicines, including herbal treatments and homoeopathic and ethnic preparations. The use of these treatments has increased over the past years, mainly in patients with chronic diseases who are taking multiple drugs, in whom adverse reactions are more likely to develop.

In the history section, it is important to include history of use of psychostimulant substances (such as methylxanthines) and natural or synthetic drugs of abuse (such as cannabis, amphetamines, hallucinogens, or opiates), in addition to drinking and smoking habits.

Other aspects to consider are the compulsory communication of the adverse reaction to the national pharmacovigilance centre or the local World Health Organization drug monitoring programme before submitting a paper for publication.