CSV File Handling in Python for Pharmacy Students (ADR Dataset Analysis & Report Generation)

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files are widely used to store structured data. In pharmaceutical sciences, CSV files are used for Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reports, clinical trial data, and patient records.

🔷 What is a CSV File?

A CSV file stores data in tabular form where values are separated by commas.

🔷 Reading CSV Files in Python

We use the built-in csv module.

import csv

with open('adr_data.csv', 'r') as file:
    reader = csv.reader(file)
    for row in reader:
        print(row)

🔷 Reading CSV as Dictionary

import csv

with open('adr_data.csv', 'r') as file:
    reader = csv.DictReader(file)
    for row in reader:
        print(row['Drug'], row['Reaction'])

Helps access data using column names.

🔷 Writing CSV Files

import csv

with open('report.csv', 'w', newline='') as file:
    writer = csv.writer(file)
    writer.writerow(["Patient", "Drug", "Reaction"])
    writer.writerow(["John", "Aspirin", "Nausea"])

💊 ADR Dataset Example

import csv

with open('adr_data.csv', 'r') as file:
    reader = csv.DictReader(file)
    
    for row in reader:
        if row['Reaction'] == "Severe":
            print("Alert:", row['Drug'])

Used for detecting serious adverse drug reactions.

💊 Generating Report

import csv

data = [
    ["Patient", "Dose", "Status"],
    ["Alice", 500, "Safe"],
    ["Bob", 700, "High"]
]

with open('dose_report.csv', 'w', newline='') as file:
    writer = csv.writer(file)
    writer.writerows(data)

🧠 Memory Tricks

• csv.reader → Read file
• DictReader → Use column names
• csv.writer → Write file

🧪 Practice Exercise

Create a CSV file and:

• Store patient drug data
• Read and print data
• Filter severe reactions

🧪 Mini Project

Build ADR Alert System:

import csv

with open('adr_data.csv', 'r') as file:
    reader = csv.DictReader(file)
    
    for row in reader:
        if row['Reaction'] == "Severe":
            print("⚠ Alert for drug:", row['Drug'])

📝 MCQs

1. CSV stands for:
   a) Computer System Values
   b) Comma Separated Values
   c) Column Stored Variables
   d) None
   Answer: b


2. Which module is used for CSV?
   a) numpy
   b) pandas
   c) csv
   d) os
   Answer: c


3. DictReader is used for:
   a) Writing file
   b) Reading file with keys
   c) Deleting file
   d) Sorting data
   Answer: b

❓ FAQs

Why are CSV files used in pharmacy?

They store structured data like ADR reports and clinical datasets.

What is advantage of DictReader?

It allows accessing data using column names.

➡ Next Topic: Understanding Healthcare Datasets →