Abstract
Purpose:The goal of this study was to compare the knowledge and attitudes of pharmacy and medical students regarding adverse drug reactions (ADRs), as well as their perceptions of barriers to ADR reporting, in a Higher Education Commission-recognised Pakistani university.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among final-year pharmacy (n=91) and medical (n=108) students in Pakistan from June 1 to July 31, 2014. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The responses of pharmacy students were compared to those of medical students.Results:Pharmacy students had a significantly better knowledge of ADRs than medical students (mean±SD, 5.61±1.78 vs. 3.23±1.60; P<0.001). Gender showed a significant relationship to knowledge about ADRs, and male participants were apparently more knowledgeable than their female counterparts (P<0.001). The attitudes of pharmacy students regarding their capability to handle and report ADRs were significantly more positive than those of medical students (P<0.05). In comparison to pharmacy students, a lack of knowledge of where and how to report ADRs was the main barrier that medical students perceived to ADR reporting (P=0.001).Conclusion:Final-year pharmacy students exhibited more knowledge about ADRs and showed more positive attitudes regarding their capacity to handle and report ADRs than final-year medical students.
Highlights
The reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is still often ignored by healthcare professionals in Pakistan
Only one study of this issue have been conducted in Pakistan, and they have focused on comparing the knowledge and attitudes of medical and dental students in Pakistan towards ADRs [2].This study aimed to compare the knowledge and attitudes of medical and pharmacy students in
A significant gender difference (P < 0.001) was found in the mean knowledge score of the participants, with male participants (n= 84) showing more knowledge of ADR reporting (4.98± 2.02) than their female counterparts (n= 115, 3.83± 1.95). Another important finding of this study was a significant difference (P< 0.001) between pharmacy and medical students in knowledge about ADR reporting, with pharmacy students showing a greater degree of knowledge (5.61± 1.78) about ADR reporting than medical students (3.23± 1.60)
Summary
The reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is still often ignored by healthcare professionals in Pakistan. Vigilance centres in Pakistan [1]. The under-reporting of ADRs in Pakistan may lead to further complications associated with the above-mentioned problems. Healthcare professionals in Pakistan need to be educated about the importance of ADR reporting. It is imperative for future pharmacists and physicians to be well trained, knowledgeable, and aware of how to identify, prevent, manage, and report ADRs. To our knowledge, only one study of this issue have been conducted in Pakistan, and they have focused on comparing the knowledge and attitudes of medical and dental students in Pakistan towards ADRs [2].This study aimed to compare the knowledge and attitudes of medical and pharmacy students in
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
