Journal of Pharmacovigilance

Improving the pharmacovigilance knowledge for medical staff of Security Force Hospital (SFH) during Hajj time in the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia towards reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs)

2^nd International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Trials

November 18-19, 2013 Hilton San Antonio Airport, TX, USA

Naif Alhazmi and Ian L. Naylor

Accepted Abstracts: J Pharmacovigilance

Abstract:

Pharmacovigilance knowledge for medical staff is of prime importance for reporting of ADRs. The extant literature review suggest that there is a lack of understanding and good command on the Pharmacovigilance knowledge among the medical staff members in the SFH, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this study, to improve the Pharmacovigilance knowledge of the medical staff to report ADRs in SFH during Hajj time. 110 questionnaires have been received from 50 doctors, 10 dentists, 20 pharmacists and 30 nurses. It found that 47.2% (n=52) of the respondents were aware of the existence of an ADR reporting and monitoring system in Makkah and 37.2% (n=41) were aware of the existence of National Pharmacovigilance Center (NPC) in the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). However, only 34.5% (n=38) of the respondents had been trained on how to report ADRs and 28.1% (n=31) had actually submitted an ADRs report to the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Makkah and 46.3% (n=51) thought ADR reporting had benefited their patients by identifying safe drugs. 60% (n=66) of the respondents recommended that a mandatory ADR reporting programme was useful. The investigation also teased out factors that affect reporting ADR, which included a lack of reporting forms, the process was too complex., in terms of available resources e.g. no internet, no suitable training for staff on how to report. Overall, the study therefore suggests that, to improve Pharmacovigilance, providing relevant training and education is critical for a required acknowledgment and awareness of ADR reporting among medical staff. Key Words: Adverse drug reactions (ADR), pharmacovigilance, medical staff, Makkah, Security Force Hospitals (SFH)