Abstract
IntroductionThe present study conducted in Cameroon from June 2013 to February 2014 aimed to estimating the level of pharmacovigilance knowledge and practice of health professionals in Cameroon.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey on 149 health professionals in Cameroon from June to September 2013. Data were analyzed using software IBM SPSS 20.0. We calculated proportions and odd ratio, and confident interval of their values, keeping a threshold of p of 0.05 to determine the level of significance.ResultsNinety percent (90%) of declaration of side effects were made to the medical representatives and 4% to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre. Fifty four percent (54%) of physicians were not aware of the existence of a National Pharmacovigilance system. Ten (10%) of prescribers had never heard of pharmacovigilance, however respondents answered unanimously that they need training on pharmacovigilance. A wrong definition was given by most of the nurses and dentists (61,1% and 58,3% respectively) as compared to physicians and pharmacists (respectively 15.2% and 26,5%). Given the results of this study, the establishment of a National Pharmacovigilance system based on a solid legal foundation is necessary in Cameroon. This implementation must go through the involvement of all stakeholders and their awareness raising on the importance of this activity and its positive impact on the health of populations.ConclusionPharmacovigilance is a public health problem in Cameroon, with due to lack of good knowledge and practice of prescribers, precisely physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and dentists who are not always aware of an existing pharmacovigilance system in Cameroon.
Highlights
Durgs side effect has been widely studied through pharmacovigilance studies since the thalidomide problem [1]
Several pilot projects have been attempted in this part of Africa, showing in most of cases that pharmacovigilance is a major public health problem, and the need of improvement action to improve the situation [9]
Despite the call from WHO to strengthen national pharmacovigilance systems, developing countries are still struggling to seriously include ir pharmacovigilance in their health information system. This goes through the assessment of health professional knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance
Summary
Durgs side effect has been widely studied through pharmacovigilance studies since the thalidomide problem [1]. A need to follow up drugs side effect after it acceptance on the market, since the number of patients increases significantly and becomes practically unlimited In this context, insignificant and undetectable in clinical trials adverse reactions may occur and should be seriously considered. Several pilot projects have been attempted in this part of Africa, showing in most of cases that pharmacovigilance is a major public health problem, and the need of improvement action to improve the situation [9] Majority of these pilot projects are usually related to vertical programs malaria, ARV or vaccination types. In order to avoid harm to patients and improve public health, it is essential to establish a wellorganized system of pharmacovigilance It appears as an essential component of an effective drug regulation system, clinical practice and health programs. This is not known, our motivation to carry out this study aiming to assess the health professional knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance in this country
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