Saeed Alshahrani, Majid Ali, Rama Alsreaya, Mohammed Najie, Abdulrahman Hijri, Abdulrahman Almalki, Emad Hassany, Asma Alhazmi, Bandar Mirqami, Faisal Tawhari, Yahya Bajawi, Amirah Maashi, Ahmed Ibrahim, Ahmed Alkazmeeni, Aseel Alsreaya
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: This study evaluated pharmacists' and pharmacy technicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting at a tertiary care facility in Saudi Arabia. It also sought to identify the barriers to ADR reporting and propose strategies to improve pharmacovigilance practices. This study is timely given recent initiatives by the Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen medication safety practices nationwide.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia. A structured, self-administered questionnaire collected data on participants' KAPs regarding pharmacovigilance. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to identify the trends and associations between demographic variables and KAP scores.
Findings: A total of 200 healthcare professionals participated in the study. While 87% of participants were aware of pharmacovigilance and 91% were familiar with ADRs, only 47.5% had ever reported an ADR. Positive attitudes were observed, with 94% agreeing that ADR reporting is an essential role of pharmacists and 90% supporting its inclusion in pharmacy curricula. However, key barriers to ADR reporting included lack of time (65%), insufficient training (58%), and uncertainty about reporting procedures (49%). Significant associations were found between knowledge levels, age, gender, and educational qualifications (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Despite high levels of knowledge and positive attitudes, ADR reporting practices remain suboptimal due to structural and procedural barriers. To enhance pharmacovigilance practices in Saudi Arabia, targeted training programs, simplified reporting systems, and mandatory reporting policies are recommended.
期刊介绍：
The main focus of the journal will be on evidence-based drug-related medical researches (with clinical pharmacists’ intervention or documentation), particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean region. However, a wide range of closely related issues will be also covered. These will include clinical studies in the field of pharmaceutical care, reporting adverse drug reactions and human medical toxicology, pharmaco-epidemiology and toxico-epidemiology (poisoning epidemiology), social aspects of pharmacy practice, pharmacy education and economic evaluations of treatment protocols (e.g. cost-effectiveness studies). Local reports of medication utilization studies at hospital or pharmacy levels will only be considered for peer-review process only if they have a new and useful message for the international pharmacy practice professionals and readers.
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