Evaluation of knowledge, awareness, and practice of pharmacovigilance among practicing doctors

Abstract

Objective: The primary objective of the study was to assess the awareness, knowledge, and practice of pharmacovigilance (PV) among the practicing doctors. The secondary objective was to ascertain the reason for underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested and validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to assess these parameters of PV. These questionnaires were distributed among 90 doctors to ascertain the answers. In addition, the same parameters were reassessed (post-questionnaires) after sensitizing the doctors about PV. Results: Only 52 doctors took the posttest, a response rate of 57%. The mean awareness, knowledge, and practice of PV among doctors were 4.70, 3.60, and 2.90, respectively, which significantly increased in post-test questionnaire (p<0.05). The Pearson correlations revealed that the level of awareness among the respondents was significantly related to the knowledge and the practice of PV, linearly, and positively. In other words, higher the awareness more was the knowledge and better was the methods of application. The most common factor discouraging doctors from reporting ADRs was they found it difficult to decide whether ADR has occurred or not (32.69%). Conclusion: There was a significant positive correlation between awareness, knowledge, and practice of PV. In spite of these findings, the ADR reporting rate is negligible in India. To bring about a strong culture of reporting among doctors, it is mandatory to continuously expose doctors to the concepts of PV by continuous medical education, workshops, seminars and to make reporting mandatory in India.