Assessment of knowledge attitude and practice of pharmacovigilance by leaders in public health pharmaceutical supply chain in Nigeria.

Abstract

Pharmacovigilance involves the spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADR) and ensuring the post-marketing surveillance of the quality and safety of medicines including phytomedicines and other pharmaceuticals used in the management of diseases. Its success depends on the awareness, attitude, and voluntary participation of healthcare personnel, patients, and institutions. This study aimed at examining the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of key pharmacovigilance actors in the public health pharmaceutical supply chain management in Nigeria. Consequently, a cross-sectional approach was used in the survey of 209 leaders of selected public health organizations. Purposive sampling technique was applied to administer validated semi-structured questionnaire electronically. Questions were drawn from the Nigerian national pharmacovigilance policy. Overall, response rate was 55%. Among the responders, medical doctors and medical laboratory scientists had better knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance than pharmacists. Factors associated with practice of pharmacovigilance include awareness of policy (OR =1.90; P-value =0.1140), training provided by respondents' organizations (OR =1.34; P-value =0.4801), respondents' organization receiving periodic updates from the National Pharmacovigilance Center (OR =1.11; P-value =0.8525) and respondents independently receiving periodic updates (OR =0.83; P-value =0.7279). In conclusion, the study suggests pharmacovigilance outcomes could improve through increased awareness of the policy, training, and periodic safety communications.