Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Ayurveda pharmacists toward pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting: a cross-sectional study

Background: Reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is an important part of pharmacovigilance practice. Considering the significance of this area, the Ministry of AYUSH has introduced a new Central Sector scheme for promoting pharmacovigilance of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs. Being key health‑care professionals, physicians, pharmacists, technicians, and nurses have immense responsibility in effective implementation of pharmacovigilance programs through the surveillance and reporting of ADRs. Objective: The present study was planned with an objective to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Ayurveda pharmacists toward pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting. Materials and Methods: A total of 22 pretested questions about KAP regarding ADRs and pharmacovigilance in a Google form were made available to 170 Ayurveda pharmacists at their workplace by e‑mail. Results: In the present study, total, 80 responses were received, yielding a response rate of 47%. Most of the participants (81.5%) had knowledge about the pharmacovigilance program for ASU&H drugs and also the location of their nearest pharmacovigilance center. At the same time, 34.6% among them were not aware that a specific format is available for reporting ADRs and only 42% had the knowledge that the Ministry of AYUSH is monitoring the pharmacovigilance program for ASU&H drugs in India. However, most of them (95.1%) thought that it was their responsibility to report ADRs and 92.6% of the participants wanted to make ADR reporting mandatory to pharmacists. More than half of the participants (55.6%) had come across ADRs at their workplace, and the majority of them (72.8%) had reported them. More than half of the pharmacists (51.9%) who were involved in the program revealed that they had faced problems while reporting ADRs at their workplace. Conclusion: Even though there was a positive attitude toward ADR reporting, limited knowledge about the importance of the program needed to be addressed through educational initiatives, regular sensitization, and awareness programs.