EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS, AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACOVIGILANCE AMONG PRACTICING DOCTORS

ABSTRACTObjective: The primary objective of the study was to assess the awareness, knowledge, and practice of pharmacovigilance (PV) among the practicingdoctors. The secondary objective was to ascertain the reason for underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in India.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested and validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to assess theseparameters of PV. These questionnaires were distributed among 90 doctors to ascertain the answers. In addition, the same parameters werereassessed (post-questionnaires) after sensitizing the doctors about PV.Results: Only 52 doctors took the posttest, a response rate of 57%. The mean awareness, knowledge, and practice of PV among doctors were 4.70,3.60, and 2.90, respectively, which significantly increased in post-test questionnaire (p