Awareness of adverse drug reactions reporting among doctors in a tertiary care centre

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADR) are more commonly observed during treatment course in a substantial number of patients. Though we have a functioning pharmacovigilance programme in India, we have only fewer number of adverse drug reactions being reported indicating lack of awareness, the unsure attitude and reluctance in reporting adverse drug reactions.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional pretested questionnaire based study for a period of six months. 600 questionnaires were distributed. 521 responded back to the questionnaire of which 29.6% were interns, 56.8% were junior residents, 5.2% doctors were senior residents, and 8.4% were Assistant professors. Awareness on ADR reporting, ADRs encountered in practice, common causative drugs for ADR, and awareness on the functions of Pharmacovigilance programme of India were assessed.Results: 44.9% were not aware of the pharmacovigilance programme; 59.5% of the study population were not aware of the voluntary reporting of ADRs. 100% of the doctors who participated actively in the study responded that have not reported any ADR so far under pharmacovigilance programme of India. 88.1% of the doctors who participated in the study were willing to undergo a training on ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance.Conclusions: This study concludes that serious measures have to be taken to educate the doctors on ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance. By means of involving pharmacovigilance as a part of the undergraduate programme and by organising regular workshops, group discussion and continuous medical education, we can improve the awareness among doctors regarding ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance.