Exploring pharmacovigilance practices and knowledge among healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional multicenter study

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare professionals’ awareness of adverse drug reaction reporting and pharmacovigilance practices differ by country. The study assesses healthcare professionals’ knowledge, practice, and potential barriers to pharmacovigilance-related practices and reporting adverse drug reaction. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted in government and private healthcare settings. The study included licensed physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. To examine knowledge, practice, and potential barriers to pharmacovigilance-related practices and adverse drug reaction reporting, a 22-item validated questionnaire was used. Results: The final analysis included 311 healthcare professionals. Most healthcare professionals, 59% ( N = 182), mentioned encountering patients with adverse drug reactions during the last year. On the other hand, most healthcare professionals, 54% ( n = 167), mentioned that they had not reported adverse drug reactions. A good proportion of respondents mentioned that it is essential to report adverse drug reactions ( N = 288, 92.6%), availability of adverse drug reactions reporting forms in practice sites ( N = 216, 69.5%), had awareness regarding how to report adverse drug reactions ( N = 221, 71.1%), the necessity of reporting minor/less important adverse drug reactions ( N = 265, 85.2%), and were trained on how to report adverse drug reactions ( N = 201, 64.6%). Adverse drug reaction reporting program in the United Arab Emirates ( N = 148, 47.6) was known to many healthcare professionals. Lack of time was the major impediment to reporting adverse drug reactions at 42.7% ( N = 133). The predictor variable work experience does add to the model ( p < 0.05) concerning association with filling of adverse drug reaction forms (Estimate = 0.380; SE = 0.452; p = 0.400), professional role (Estimate = 0.454; SE = 0.673; p = 0.500). In addition, the predictor variable practice setting adds to the model ( p < 0.05) concerning the knowledge regarding the availability of adverse drug reaction reporting forms (Estimate = −1.229; SE = 0.298; p = 0.000), training on how to report adverse drug reactions (Estimate = −0.660; SE = 0.294; p = 0.025), and awareness regarding the adverse drug reaction reporting program in the United Arab Emirates (Estimate = −1.032; SE = 0.280; p = 0.000). Conclusion: Pharmacists had the most knowledge regarding adverse drug reaction reporting and pharmacovigilance. The underreporting of adverse drug reactions was documented among physicians and nurses. Lack of time was the most significant barrier to reporting adverse drug reactions, followed by uncertainty and complicated adverse drug reaction documentation forms.