Abstract

KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ABOUT PHARMACOVIGILANCE AMONG 2ND YEAR MBBS STUDENTS AT GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL

Dr. Rajat Mishra*, Syed Meraj Fatmi and Dr. Sunil Kumar Singh

Abstract

Background: Pharmacovigilance can be helpful in protecting patients from harmful effects of medicines. Under reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) is a common problem in Pharmacovigilance programs. Poor knowledge of pharmacovigilance leads to development of poor awareness which further leads to poor practice of pharmacovigilance. These medical students of today will be doctor’s of tomorrow. They should consider adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting as their professional obligation and should be aware of the existing pharmacovigilance mechanisms in their countries. According to WHO Pharmacovigilance is “The science and activities which are related to the detection, assessment, understanding, and the prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems.” Every hospital should have a pharmacovigilance centre for adverse drug reactions reporting. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of pharmacovigilance & ADR reporting among 2nd year MBBS students and to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention. Methods: A suitable self-administered knowledge and awareness survey questionnaire was designed, based on previous studies. An interventional educational activity was organized and the impact of the educational intervention was evaluated by again administering the similar questionnaire. The statistical analysis was carried for comparing the pre- and post-intervention. Results: It was seen that the Knowledge and awareness of pharmacovigilance among the medical students were low which was understandable as these students were never exposed to educational intervention on Pharmacovigilance. The results also showed that there was an improvement about the over all perception of pharmacovigilance after an educational intervention. Conclusions: The Knowledge and awareness of pharmacovigilance is low among medical students. These medical students of today are doctor’s of tomorrow so regular educational intervention on pharmacovigilance can improve their perception about pharmacovigilance which is so important for each and every patient’s safety.

Keywords: Adverse drug reactions, Under reporting, Knowledge, Awareness, Pharmacovigilance, Educational intervention.