SPONTANEOUS REPORTING OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN UAE: OBSTACLES AND MOTIVATION AMONG COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS

Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is a broadly experienced technique of practicing pharmacovigilance (PV) activity. However, the progression of pharmacovigilance programs is limited by under-reporting of ADRs, as it is considered one of the major problems associated with PV programs development.  This is the first study of its kind in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that examines what inhibits and what motivates the community pharmacists (CPs) to report ADRs. Face to face questionnaire was used for data collection. Random sampling method was used to approach the potential respondents. Descriptive analysis was conducted using SPSS 20. Many barriers had been revealed that prohibit pharmacists participation in PV program;  unavailability of reporting forms (81.8%), unknown address to contact (79.8%), the belief that all serious ADRs are detected before registration (70%), pharmacists unfamiliarity of how to report (69.1%) were the commonly shared reasons for under-reporting by CPs. Also, the majority (82.1%) of the respondents agreed that encouraging patients to report ADRs to the pharmacists is an important factor necessary for reporting ADRs. Also, 75.8% advised that ADRs reporting concept should be included in the university curriculum as it will enhance the reporting process.  In Conclusion, the UAE PV center and the Ministry of Health (MOH) can play a major role in enhancing pharmacists’ participation in ADRs reporting program and implementing an active collaborative role to overcome the obstacles revealed by the study.