Knowledge and practice about adverse drug reactions among pharmacists in Nadiad City

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among community pharmacists. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a questionnaire provided to 47 community pharmacists in Nadiad, Gujarat, India. Results: Nearly 75% response rate was noted as 35 pharmacists participated in the survey. Respondents were evaluated for their knowledge and practice of ADR reporting. For ADR reporting process, only 2.85% of pharmacists were familiar with Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI). Nearly 57% of participants reported ADR to physicians and 40% reported ADR to nonspecified sources. Around 51% of pharmacists replied that ADR reporting is professional obligation of pharmacists. Around 15% of pharmacists replied that ADRs do not require to be reported. Around 91.42% of pharmacists suggested advice to patients regarding the side effects of the drugs that may occur with the prescribed medicines. Conclusion: It may be concluded that community pharmacists have lower awareness regarding ADR reporting and importance of PvPI. This would reflect that the pharmacists have lack of knowledge about ADRs and their reporting. Therefore, government agencies and private institutes should develop strategies to spread the awareness regarding ADR reporting and its importance, which will be helpful to reduce the rate of underreporting.