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. 2017 Sep;25(6):830-837.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2016.12.004. Epub 2016 Dec 26.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting among pharmacists working in secondary and tertiary governmental hospitals in Kuwait

Fatemah M Alsaleh  1 , Sherifah W Alzaid  1 , Eman A Abahussain  1 , Tania Bayoud  1 , Jacinthe Lemay  2
Affiliations

Knowledge, attitude and practices of pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting among pharmacists working in secondary and tertiary governmental hospitals in Kuwait

Fatemah M Alsaleh et al. Saudi Pharm J. 2017 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacovigilance (PV) is essential to detect and prevent adverse drug reactions (ADR) after a drug is marketed. However, ADRs are significantly underreported worldwide. Objective: The aims of this study were to document the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of pharmacists toward PV and ADR reporting and to explore the barriers to implementing a fully functional PV program in Kuwait. Material and methods: Pharmacists working at governmental hospitals were asked to complete a paper-based 25-item questionnaire. Results: A total of 414 pharmacists received the questionnaire and 342 agreed to participate, giving a response rate of 82.6%. Most pharmacists were knowledgeable about the concepts of PV (61.5%) and ADRs (72.6%) and the majority (88.6%) was willing to implement ADR reporting in their clinical practice. Despite this positive attitude, only 26.8% of participants had previously reported an ADR and the main reason for underreporting was stated as not knowing how to report (68.9%). Barriers that hinder the implementation of a PV center included lack of cooperation and communication by healthcare professionals and patients (n = 62), lack of time and proper management (n = 57), lack of awareness of staff and patients (n = 48) and no qualified person to report ADRs (n = 35). Conclusions: Overall this study shows that hospital pharmacists in Kuwait had good knowledge and positive attitude toward PV and ADRs reporting. However, the majority of them have never reported ADRs. These results suggest that targeted educational interventions and a well-defined policy for ADR reporting may help increase ADR reporting and support the implementation of a fully functional independent PV center in Kuwait.

Keywords: Adverse drug reactions; Hospitals; Pharmacists; Pharmacovigilance.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participants’ knowledge on where to report ADRs in Kuwait (n = 341)*. ADRs: Adverse Drug Reactions; KDFC: Kuwait Drug and Food Control; MOH: Ministry of Health Multiple responses were possible. *Data were missing from 1 participant.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pharmacists’ attitudes about ADRs reporting (n = 342). ADRs: Adverse Drug Reactions. *Data were missing from 1 participant.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Participants’ opinions about qualified persons to report ADRs in Kuwait (n = 342). ADRs: Adverse Drug Reactions Multiple responses were possible.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Discouraging factors to reporting ADRs (n = 341)*. ADRs: Adverse Drug Reactions Multiple responses were possible. *Data were missing from 1 participant.
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