Role of community pharmacists in pharmacovigilance: pharmacists’ and patients’ perceptions

Background Pharmacists are involved in pharmacovigilance in many countries, their role varies. Some studies show that they are not active enough in reporting adverse drug reactions (ADR). Pharmacists' and patients' awareness about engagement of pharmacists in reporting ADR and other medicines use problems, as well as in counseling on medication safety is essential for improving patient safety. The objective of this work was to study attitude of pharmacy professionals and patients to role of community pharmacy staff in providing patient medication safety in Armenia. Methods 297 pharmacists and technicians, as well as 2066 patients were interviewed in Yerevan (capital of Armenia) according to designed and pretested questionnaire. Results 201 (68.0%) pharmacists and technicians consider that community pharmacists in Armenia are engaged in ADR reporting and 198 (66.6%) professionals indicated that they wish to be involved in this activity. 215 (72.4%) professionals supposed that community pharmacists are engaged in providing advices related to medicines safety and indicated that they are interested to be involved. Slightly more than a half of patients reported that they wish that community pharmacy staff would be involved in ADR reporting and would provide advices related to medicines safety: 1171 (56.7%) and 1115 (54.0%), correspondingly. The number of participated patients who think that pharmacists are already engaged in these activities was much less: 726 (35.1%) and 876 (42.4%), correspondingly (p < 0.001). Conclusions Most of pharmacy professionals and patients are interested that community pharmacy staff would be involved in ADR reporting and advising on medicines safety. Some pharmacy professionals and most of patients are not aware about this role of pharmacy staff. Special strategies for educating pharmacists and patients should be developed. Lecture on Pharmacovigilance was included in continuing education course curricula for pharmacy professionals. Key messages Pharmacy professionals and patients are interested in engaging pharmacists in activity in the area of pharmacovigilance. It is important to improve education of pharmacists and increase awareness of patients about role of pharmacists in this area.