Mervat Alsous
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science University, Jordan
Title: A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge and Perceptions of Pharmacovigilance among Pharmacy Students of Selected Tertiary Institutions in Jordan
Biography
Biography: Mervat Alsous
Abstract
Use of medicine is usually associated with harm that may range from mild to fatal adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Pharmacists as health care professionals working in a hospital or community pharmacy can play an essential role in both pharmacovigilance activities and ADRs reporting. This study has been conducted to assess perceptions and knowledge of pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) reporting among Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPpharm) and Doctor of Pharmacy (pharmD) students of selected tertiary institutions in Jordan. A 434 pharmacy students filled a validated structured questionnaires about pharmacovigilance. A majority of the students have insufficient awareness and lack of knowledge of pharmacovigilance and ADRs reporting with a mean knowledge score of 4/10. PharmD students showed better knowledge about pharmacovigilance and ADRs reporting system than the BPharm students (knowledge score of 5.4 versus 3.2, respectively; p = 0.000). About two-thirds of the students expressed a positive attitude toward pharmacovigilance and ADRs issues and agreed that they would be willing to report ADRs during their clerkship programme. In a conclusion, BPharm and pharmD students have insufficient knowledge of the concept of pharmacovigilance and ADRs reporting. There is a need to incorporate pharmacovigilance into pharmacy curriculum in order to increase its awareness among pharmacy students which will positively impact on the practice and enhance public health.