ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR ON ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS: A QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED STUDY

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant drug-related cause of disease and death. Pharmacovigilance (PV) plays a key role in the management of ADRs. To assess the pharmacist’s knowledge, attitudes and behavior of ADRs among community and hospital pharmacists in Gujarat, a validated questionnaire was developed and used to assess the understanding, attitudes and behavior of community and hospital pharmacists. 166 community pharmacists and 37 hospital pharmacists agreed to complete the ADR questionnaire. According to the study, the response of male pharmacists was higher than that of female pharmacists. In response to knowledge and practice, only the proportion of community pharmacists reporting ADR was 25 %, far lower than hospital pharmacists, who reported 65 %. Factors that encouraged the pharmacist to report ADR were the incredibly potent drug reactions, responses to the new product, and also well-recognized drug reactions documented in this study. In this study, 35 (94 %) hospital and 118 (75 %) community pharmacists guided and advised patients on their side-effects; while 25 (68 %) hospital and 115 (70 %) community pharmacists advised patients on what to do if they developed side-effects. The results of this study suggest that community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists in Gujarat need to improve their knowledge of the ADR. Pharmacists, on the other hand, should be participating in ADR awareness-raising events and refresher courses.