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KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TOWARDS PHARMACOVIGILANCE IN A PRIVATE SECTOR TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KARACHI

. Dr Farah Amin (BDS, RDS,MHCM) ,Dr Zain Ahmed Farooqui (BDS, RDS, MHCM),Ihsan Ali, Dr KhushbakhtShoaib (BDS, RDS), Prof Farah Ahmed (director Healthcare Managemant)


Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Pharmacovigilance plays an important role in detection of adverse drug reactions.

The objective of our study is to identify the knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare professionals towards pharmacovigilance in a private sector tertiary care hospital in Karcahi, Pakistan.

MATERIALS & METHODS:

This is a cross sectional study conducted by using questionnaire from July to December 2018 in 3tertiary care hospitals. Convenience sampling technique was used & 400 questionnaires were distributed among healthcare workers including doctors, dentists, nurses & pharmacists. All healthcare workers who were qualified and practice medicine daily were included in the study. Trainees, house officers, students and managerial staff were excluded from the study. Data was then analyzed at SPSS version 20 . Consent was taken from ethical board review committee.

RESULTS:

The results of our study showed that only n=154 (38.5%) knew about the pharmacovigillance and n=239 (59.8%) did not know about the existence of pharmacovigillance center in Pakistan. The healthcare professionals showed positive attitude and n=285(71.3%) agreed that it is their professional duty to report adverse drug reaction (ADR). The major factor that discourages participants from reporting ADR was lack of time n=135 (33.75%). When inquired if they have experienced adverse drug reaction in their professional experience, n=188(47%) agreed that they did. Moreover, n=252(63%) have never reported ADR.

CONCLUSION:

Our study shows that healthcare workers do not have proper knowledge about pharmacovigilance and so they do not practice it. The attitude is positive and it should be a part of curriculum and taught properly to all the professionals who practice medicine.

KEY WORDS:Pharmacovigilance, adverse drug reaction (ADR)

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