A Review on The Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) And Its Reporting of Community Pharmacist

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major global health concern due to their impact on morbidity, mortality, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs. Factors such as advanced age, comorbidities, and polypharmacy increase the risk of ADRs. Despite rigorous preclinical and clinical safety evaluations, some ADRs are only detected post-market. Pharmacovigilance (PV) systems, such as the UAE's national ADR surveillance program, play a crucial role in detecting and reporting ADRs. However, barriers to effective ADR reporting still exist. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of community pharmacists in Ras Al Khaimah regarding ADR reporting. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 156 pharmacists using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Results showed that while pharmacists had good knowledge and positive attitudes toward ADR reporting, their actual practices were hindered by barriers like lack of access to reporting forms, uncertainty about ADR identification, time constraints, and concerns about patient trust. The study emphasized the importance of comprehensive training in ADR detection, assessment, monitoring, and reporting to improve pharmacists' practices. It highlighted the need for better resources and a structured approach to overcome the barriers that currently limit ADR reporting in community pharmacies. This survey serves as an important first step in understanding community pharmacists' perspectives on ADR reporting and can inform future interventions to enhance pharmacovigilance efforts in the UAE.