Knowledge, attitude beliefs and practices of community pharmacy dispensers in Aden, Yemen towards adverse drug reaction reporting

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions represent a serious problem worldwide including Yemen. Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions remains the cornerstone of pharmacovigilance. The survey was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude practices and beliefs of community pharmacy dispensers in Aden city towards pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reactions reporting. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with a convenient sample of community pharmacy dispensers using a pre-tested questionnaire during May through August 2014. Five hundred community pharmacy dispensers participated in the survey. Ninety one percent knew what adverse drug reactions are; 69% unaware of national pharmacovigilance program; 24% mentioned to report only serious and life threatening adverse drug reactions; 70.6% felt that adverse drug reactions reporting should be mandatory for practicing pharmacists; 64.4% had observed adverse drug reactions in their practice, only 21.8% claimed that they had reported them; and 22.3% adequately trained in adverse drug reactions reporting. Inadequate adverse drug reactions and pharmacovigilance knowledge, attitudes, practices and reporting were encountered. This emphasizes the importance of establishing continuing efforts to promote adverse drug reactions program to ensure patient and public safety. Education and training of health professionals and public will be important in increasing and maintaining adverse drug reactions reporting.