Pharmacovigilance study : exploring the role of community pharmacists in adverse drug reactions reporting in Alkharj city, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

SUMMARY. Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug related problems. Spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting is the foundation stone of pharmacovigilance activity. A cross sectional survey was carried out from September 2013 to January 2014 to evaluate the role of community pharmacists in ADRs reporting, by using a pre-assessed questionnaire with structured face-to-face interviews with community pharmacists from randomly selected private community pharmacies in Alkharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 53 community pharmacists participated in the study, Results of this study reflected lack of adequate knowledge regarding ADRs reporting among community pharmacists. Regulatory authorities and professional pharmaceutical organizations in Saudi Arabia need to raise concern and educate pharmacists on the system of pharmacovigilance.