PHARMACISTS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ABOUT ADVERSE DRUG REACTION IN BASRA/IRAQ

Pharmacovigilance can be helpful in defending consumers from harmful effects of medicines. Pharmacists should consider Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting as their professional obligation and should be aware of the existing pharmacovigilance mechanisms in their countries. Purpose: The present study evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of the pharmacists towards ADRs and pharmacovigilance in Basra Hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in the province of Basra. All the pharmacists present in the Basra province during the study period were enrolled in the study and the convenience sampling technique was utilized for analysis. Hence, 530 pharmacists took part in the study. This questionnaire was tested and made error-free prior to using. This questionnaire contained 5 knowledge-based questions, 5-attitude related questions and tow questions which were related to the practices used towards the ADRs. Results: The response rate was 24.9 %.The results of our study clearly point out that in spite of the pharmacists positive attitude there was a lack of appropriate knowledge and practice to implement ADRs reporting successfully. The results emphasized the critical need for interventions to support ADRs reporting activity and to maintain Pharmacist’s positive attitude. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that the need for positive evidence based on educational and managerial interventions regularly to improve ADR reporting. It would be more beneficial, if the Ministry of higher education would suggest some more measures to review and perhaps improve pharmacy colleges’ curricula to guarantee the incorporation of PV and ADRs reporting system conception.