Ruth has been Senior Lecturer in the Department of General Practice since 2009. She undertakes research in adverse drug reaction monitoring (pharmacovigilance) and rational prescribing and has experience in pharmacoepidemiology studies.
Ruth is responsible for part of the undergraduate general practice teaching modules and is also involved in postgraduate teaching to general practitioners and other health professionals where she emphasises the need to recognize adverse drug reactions and strategies to avoid them or minimise the harm they may cause. The relevance of her teaching and research to clinical practice is in large part due to her extensive clinical experience primarily in rural general practice and also rheumatology.
Ruth is also Senior Medical Assessor in the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM), New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Centre, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin where a high proportion of the suspected adverse reaction reports submitted by health professionals are from primary care. She is also an expert advisor to the New Zealand Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee.
As a consultant to the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring, Uppsala, Sweden Ruth also undertakes research and provides training in international pharmacovigilance.
Research Interests
- Pharmacovigilance and Rational Prescribing
- Detection of previously unrecognized adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and interactions in national and international databases of ADR reports.
- Assessing if the outputs from automated methods of detecting suspected adverse reactions from large databases are clinically relevant.
- Assessment of ADR case reports to determine risk factors for individual ADRs.
- Assessment of ADR case reports to determine if prescribing behaviour has allowed specific ADRs or interactions to occur and how this can be modified.
Summer Student Supervision
2017-18
Jamie Go
Topic: Diabetes care in general practice - Access to the Retinal Screening Pathway
Supervisor(s): Dr Ruth Savage and Deborah Callahan
Sponsor: Pegasus Health (Charitable) Trust
2015-16
Anna Hulme
Topic: Evaluation of a Telephone Based Brief Intervention Model for Smoking Cessation
Supervisor(s): Leigh Aston and Dr Ruth Savage
Sponsor: Pegasus Health (Charitable) Trust
2012-13
Lucy Peterson
Topic: Reducing barriers to practice nurse involvement in general cervical screening and understanding effective methods of inviting and engaging priority women in cervical screening in general practice.
Supervisors Ruth Savage, Kim Burgess, Jackie Cooper
Sponsor: Partnership Health Canterbury PHO
2011-12
Nicole Sycamore
Topic: Drug utilisation study of paracetamol in the community in children aged under twelve years through paracetamol questionnaires.
Supervisors: Ruth Savage, Kathryn Henshaw
Sponsor: Pegasus Health
2010-11
Talia Wise
Topic: Why do General Practitioners and practice nurses differ in their behaviours and attitudes towards performing and coding of CVD risk assessment?
Supervisors: Ruth Savage, Pip Mason
Sponsor: Partnership Health Canterbury
Publications
Savage, R. L. (2022). The value of complementary approaches to causality assessment for individual case safety reports: The example of Artemisia annua and hepatotoxicity. In J. Barnes (Ed.), Pharmacovigilance for herbal and traditional medicines. (pp. 211-220). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-07275-8
Savage, R., Vidlin, S. H., Grundmark, B., Rocca, E., & Gauffin, O. (2021). Remdesivir and renal injury: Interpreting global case safety reports in the context of COVID-19 infection. Proceedings of the 6th Pharmacoepidemiology Research Network Symposium. (pp. 11-12). Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/pharmacoepidemiology
Wilson, G., Windner, Z., Bidwell, S., Dowell, A., Toop, L., Savage, R., & Hudson, B. (2021). Navigating the health system during COVID-19: Primary care perspectives on delayed patient care. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1546), 17-27. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Wilson, G., Windner, Z., Bidwell, S., Currie, O., Dowell, A., Halim, A. A., Toop, L., Savage, R., Ranaweera, U., Beadel, H., & Hudson, B. (2021). 'Here to stay': Changes to prescribing medication in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 13(3), 222-230. doi: 10.1071/hc21035
Rocca, E., Gauffin, O., Savage, R., Vidlin, S. H., & Grundmark, B. (2021). Remdesivir in the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis of spontaneous reports in VigiBase during 2020. Drug Safety, 44, 987-998. doi: 10.1007/s40264-021-01091-x
Savage, R. L. (2022). The value of complementary approaches to causality assessment for individual case safety reports: The example of Artemisia annua and hepatotoxicity. In J. Barnes (Ed.), Pharmacovigilance for herbal and traditional medicines. (pp. 211-220). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-07275-8
Chapter in Book - Research
Rocca, E., Gauffin, O., Savage, R., Vidlin, S. H., & Grundmark, B. (2021). Remdesivir in the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis of spontaneous reports in VigiBase during 2020. Drug Safety, 44, 987-998. doi: 10.1007/s40264-021-01091-x
Journal - Research Article
Russom, M., Fitsum, Y., Abraham, A., & Savage, R. L. (2021). Diclofenac and the risk of rhabdomyolysis: Analysis of publications and the WHO Global Pharmacovigilance Database. Drugs: Real World Outcomes, 8, 263-275. doi: 10.1007/s40801-021-00240-z
Journal - Research Article
Wilson, G., Currie, O., Bidwell, S., Saeed, B., Dowell, A., Halim, A. A., Toop, L., Richardson, A., Savage, R., & Hudson, B. (2021). Empty waiting rooms: The New Zealand general practice experience with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1538), 89-101. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Article
Wilson, G., Windner, Z., Bidwell, S., Currie, O., Dowell, A., Halim, A. A., Toop, L., Savage, R., Ranaweera, U., Beadel, H., & Hudson, B. (2021). 'Here to stay': Changes to prescribing medication in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 13(3), 222-230. doi: 10.1071/hc21035
Journal - Research Article
Wilson, G., Windner, Z., Bidwell, S., Dowell, A., Toop, L., Savage, R., & Hudson, B. (2021). Navigating the health system during COVID-19: Primary care perspectives on delayed patient care. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1546), 17-27. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Article
Hegerius, A., Caduff-Janosa, P., Savage, R., & Ellenius, J. (2020). E-learning in pharmacovigilance: An evaluation of microlearning-based modules developed by Uppsala Monitoring Centre. Drug Safety, 43, 1171-1180. doi: 10.1007/s40264-020-00981-w
Journal - Research Article
Kuan, I. H. S., Savage, R. L., Duffull, S. B., Walker, R. J., & Wright, D. F. B. (2019). The association between metformin therapy and lactic acidosis. Drug Safety, 42, 1449-1469. doi: 10.1007/s40264-019-00854-x
Journal - Research Article
Maggo, S. D. S., Savage, R. L., & Kennedy, M. A. (2016). Impact of new genomic technologies on understanding adverse drug reactions. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 55(4), 419-436. doi: 10.1007/s40262-015-0324-9
Journal - Research Article
Savage, R. L., Zekarias, A., & Caduff-Janosa, P. (2015). Varenicline and abnormal sleep related events. Sleep, 38(5), 833-837. doi: 10.5665/sleep.4686
Journal - Research Article
Harrison-Woolrych, M., Maggo, S., Tan, M., Savage, R., & Ashton, J. (2012). Cardiovascular events in patients taking varenicline: A case series from intensive postmarketing surveillance in New Zealand. Drug Safety, 35(1), 33-43. doi: 10.2165/11597690-000000000-00000
Journal - Research Article
Savage, R. L., Star, K., & Hill, R. (2012). Severe muscle symptoms with lipid-lowering agents may be confused with neurogenic claudication associated with spinal canal stenosis. International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, 24(4), 215-219. doi: 10.3233/jrs-2012-0577
Journal - Research Article
Savage, R. L., Kunac, D. L., & Johansson, J. (2009). Appraising the post-marketing safety of medicines: A description of national and international pharmacovigilance with a focus on medicines used in chronic pain. Current Anaesthesia & Critical Care, 20(5-6), 215-220. doi: 10.1016/j.cacc.2009.07.013
Journal - Research Article
Gwynne Jones, D. P., Savage, R. L., & Highton, J. (2008). Alendronate-induced synovitis. Journal of Rheumatology, 35(3), 537-538.
Journal - Research Article
Jenks, K. A., Stamp, L. K., O'Donnell, J. L., Savage, R. L., & Chapman, P. T. (2007). Leflunomide-associated infections in rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Rheumatology, 34, 2201-2203.
Journal - Research Article
Tatley, M., & Savage, R. (2007). Psychiatric adverse reactions with statins, fibrates and ezetimibe: Implications for the use of lipid-lowering agents. Drug Safety, 30(3), 195-201.
Journal - Research Article
Savage, R. L., Highton, J., Boyd, I. W., & Chapman, P. (2006). Pneumonitis associated with leflunomide: A profile of New Zealand and Australian reports. Internal Medicine Journal, 36, 162-169.
Journal - Research Article
Gwynne Jones, D., Savage, R., & Highton, J. (2005). Synovitis induced by alendronic acid can present as acute carpal tunnel syndrome. BMJ, 330, 7482, 74. doi: 10.1136/bmj.330.7482.74
Journal - Research Article
Savage, R. (2005). Cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors: When should they be used in the elderly? Drugs & Aging, 22(3), 185-200.
Journal - Research Article
Savage, R. (2005). Thiazolidinediones and lowered high density lipoprotein cholesterol. WHO Signal, February, 6-8.
Journal - Research Article
Coulter, D. M., Clark, D. W., & Savage, R. (2003). Celecoxib, rofecoxib, and acute temporary visual impairment. British Medical Journal, 327, 1214-1215.
Journal - Research Article
Savage, R. (2002). Loratadine. WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter, (2), 12.
Journal - Research Article
Savage, R. (2002). Proton pump inhibitors. WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter, (2), 12.
Journal - Research Article
Savage, R., & Coulter, D. M. (2000). Oral contraceptives and venous thromboembolism [Letter]. New Ethicals Journal, 24.
Journal - Research Article
The ADR Signals Analysis Project (ASAP) Team, including Savage, R. (1997). How does cystitis affect a comparative risk profile of tiaprofenic acid with other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs? An international study based on spontaneous reports and drug usage data. Pharmacology & Toxicology, 80(5), 211-217. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0773.1997.tb01962.x
Journal - Research Article
Bennett, M., Chang, C. L., Tatley, M., Savage, R., & Hancox, R. J. (2021). The safety of cardio-selective beta1-blockers in asthma: Literature review and search of global pharmacovigilance safety reports. ERJ Open Research, 7, 1-10. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00801-2020
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. L., Hill, G. R., Barnes, J., Kenyon, S. H., & Tatley, M. V. (2019). Suspected hepatotoxicity with a supercritical carbon dioxide extract of Artemisia annua in grapeseed oil used in New Zealand [Brief research report article]. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10, 1448. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01448
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. L., & Tatley, M. V. (2018). Case series analysis of New Zealand reports of rapid intense potentiation of warfarin by roxithromycin [Short communcation]. Drug Safety, 41(5), 515-521. doi: 10.1007/s40264-017-0634-y
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. L., Castellano, M., & Tatley, M. V. (2017). International reports of unexpected low plasma concentrations of dabigatran suggest that more frequent measurements will add value. Seminars in Thrombosis & Hemostasis, 43(6), 635-638. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1603361
Journal - Research Other
Castellano, M., Sartori, D., & Savage, R. (2016). Dabigatran and thromboembolism: Analysis of case histories for risk factors. WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter, 3, 15-22. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/newsletter/en/
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2016). Vemurafenib and atrial fibrillation: Signal strengthening. WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter, 1, 17-22. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/newsletter/en/
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2015). Brentuximab and hepatic disorders. WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter, 2, 17-22. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/PharmaNewsletter2_15/en/
Journal - Research Other
Wells, J. E., Cross, N. B., Savage, R. L., Parkin, L., Horsburgh, S., & Richardson, A. K. (2015). Renal replacement therapy associated with lithium nephrotoxicity in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 128(1425). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2014). Tocilizumab: Psoriasis and aggravated psoriasis. WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter, 2, 16-21. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/PharmNewsletter2_14/en/
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2013). Donepezil: Syncope, heart block and beta-adrenergic blockade. Prescriber Update, 34(3), 30. Retrieved from http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/publications/prescriber-update.asp
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2013). The New Zealand Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring: A source of practice-based evidence. Journal of Primary Health Care, 5(2), 170-173. doi: 10.1071/HC13170
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2012). Dronedarone, hyperthyroidism and decreased thyroid stimulating hormone. WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter, 4, 14-18. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/PharmNewsletter4_12/en/
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2012). Venlafaxine, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and related disorders of pregnancy. WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter, 1, 19-22. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/PharmNewsletter1_12/en/
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. L. (2010). Leflunomide in combination therapy for rheumatoid arthritis [Editorial]. Drug Safety, 33(6), 523-526. doi: 10.2165/11532390-000000000-00000
Journal - Research Other
Meyboom, R. H. B., Star, K., Bate, J., Savage, R., & Edwards, I. R. (2008). TNF-α inhibitors and leukaemia: International pharmacovigilance reports [Letter to the editor]. Drug Safety, 31(5), 445-447. doi: 10.2165/00002018-200831050-00013
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2008). Leflunomide: Update on serious toxicity. Prescriber Update, 29(1), 13-14. Retrieved from https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/publications/prescriber-update.asp
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2008). Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors: Recognise and treat infection promptly. Prescriber Update, 29(1), 5-6. Retrieved from https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/publications/prescriber-update.asp
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2007). Glitazones: Fluid retention, cardiac failure and macular oedema. Prescriber Update, 28(1), 8-10. Retrieved from https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/publications/prescriber-update.asp
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2007). Serious reactions with tramadol: Seizures and serotonin syndrome. Prescriber Update, 28(1), 11-13. Retrieved from https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/publications/prescriber-update.asp
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2006). Alendronate and inflammatory adverse reactions. Prescriber Update, 27(1), 4-6. Retrieved from https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/publications/prescriber-update.asp
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2006). Evidence for tramadol-warfarin interaction. Prescriber Update, 27(2), 23-24. Retrieved from https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/publications/prescriber-update.asp
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. (2006). Leflunomide and pneumonitis. Prescriber Update, 27(1), 7-8. Retrieved from https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/publications/prescriber-update.asp
Journal - Research Other
Ng, J., Savage, R., & McQueen, F. (2005). Churg-Strauss vasculitis syndrome and leukotriene receptor antagonists [Research Letter]. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 64, 1382.
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R. L., & Kiuru, A. (2005). Thiazolidinediones and lowered HDL cholesterol [Research Letter]. Diabetes Care, 28(9), 2329-2330.
Journal - Research Other
Savage, R., & Rademaker, M. (2005). Topical corticosteroids: Face facts. Prescriber Update, 26(2), 30-31. Retrieved from https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/publications/prescriber-update.asp
Journal - Research Other
