ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACOVIGILANCE AMONG THE UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A NORTHERN INDIAN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL – AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Objective: Underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is the major drawback encountered in the pharmacovigilance programs. Inadequate knowledge and skill about pharmacovigilance among the health care professionals are the major reasons for underreporting of ADRs. This study was done to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of undergraduate medical students about pharmacovigilance as they are the future health-care givers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out to evaluate KAP of pharmacovigilance among undergraduate medical students in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of North India. Data obtained from filled questionnaires was thereby analysed. Results: The mean score of 2^nd year, prefinal and final year students for knowledge is (7.58, 6.92 and 6.73), for attitude (7.51, 6.91 and 7.23) and for practice is (1.53, 1.68 and 1.52) respectively. There is a significant difference in mean score between three groups for knowledge and attitude, but not for practice. Conclusion: Students have a good attitude but have an inadequate knowledge and poor practice towards pharmacovigilance. For this, pharmacovigilance related activities need to be incorporated in the undergraduate academic curriculum.