Pharmacist's Insight into Pharmacovigilance: An Exploratory Study

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) pose significant risks to public health, yet underreporting remains a major challenge in pharmacovigilance. Community pharmacists play a crucial role in detecting and reporting ADRs, but various barriers hinder their active participation. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community pharmacists in Kerala regarding ADR reporting, identifying key challenges and facilitators to improve reporting rates. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 313 community pharmacists in Kerala using a structured, validated questionnaire. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The findings revealed that while 90.4% of pharmacists recognized the importance of ADR reporting, only 74.4% knew where and how to report. Despite 83.4% acknowledging ADR reporting as a professional responsibility, only 45.4% had ever submitted a report. Key barriers included lack of awareness about reporting procedures (57.8%), absence of ADR reporting forms at workplaces (46%), and limited access to training programs (56.5%). These results highlight a positive attitude towards ADR reporting but also reveal significant gaps in knowledge and practice. Addressing these challenges through structured educational programs, streamlined reporting mechanisms, and improved accessibility to resources can enhance pharmacovigilance efforts in Kerala, ultimately improving patient safety and healthcare quality.