EVALUATION OF IMPACT OF EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION ON ADVERSE DRUG REACTION REPORTING BEHAVIOUR OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS IN SOUTH INDIA

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of educational intervention on ADR reporting behaviour of the community pharmacists in selected practice settings of south India. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted after educational program to assess impact of intervention on knowledge, attitude and practice of community pharmacists towards ADR reporting. A series of training programs were conducted to improve the awareness and to provide education to community pharmacists on ADR detection and reporting. Training program included basic concepts of ADRs, importance and application of ADR reporting, safety reporting methods, ADR reporting and documentation process as per national requirements, management of common ADRs, possible barriers in reporting. The impact of educational intervention was measured by reviewing number and quality of ADRs reported. Quality of ADR was assessed using prepared checklist. Barrier Assessment Questionnaire (BAQ) was administered to assess the barriers if any in ADR reporting. RESULTS: About 68 community pharmacists with mean age of 39.69 ± 8.65 years, with a practicing experience of 15± 2.5 years had participated in this study. During the 6 month regular follow-up, 82 ADR reports received from 23 (28%) trained pharmacists. Quality of ADRs were satisfactorily only for 68% of reports. However, remaining reports were not of satisfactory quality. Major barriers identified for under reporting were lack of time (83%), forgetfulness (68%), and shortage of time from patients (46%). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that educational intervention improved the ADR reporting culture among community pharmacists. However, quality of reported cases should be routinely reviewed to further strengthen reporting culture.