More than 22,000 people suffered adverse reactions to medicines while they were in hospital last year, the Green Party said today. Health spokeswoman Sue Kedgley said a further 1910 experienced adverse reactions to medicines obtained outside of hospitals. "The high number of New Zealanders being harmed by pharmaceuticals each year shows an urgent need for measures such as electronic prescribing, mandatory reporting of adverse events and much more careful medicines management," the MP said. "If 24,000 New Zealanders experienced an adverse reaction to dietary supplements, it would be considered a national scandal." Ms Kedgley's figures came from answers to written parliamentary questions. She said many of the adverse reactions were preventable and an urgent nationwide strategy was needed to reduce the number of people affected.