A MIXED-METHOD STUDY ON PERSPECTIVES OF PUBLIC AND PHARMACOVIGILANCE PROFESSIONALS ON THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ADVERSE DRUG REACTION REPORTING

Objective: Rare adverse drug reactions (ADRs) often go undetected in clinical trials, making post-marketing surveillance essential. Despite established pharmacovigilance (PV) systems, underreporting of ADRs persists. Social media (SM) has emerged as a potential tool for enhancing ADR reporting, though its integration raises ethical and practical concerns. Material and Methods: This mixed-methods study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and ethical perspectives of patients, caregivers, and PV professionals (PVPs) regarding ADR reporting and the use of SM in PV activities. Results: Among 707 respondents, only 3.68% had full knowledge of national PV systems, and most had never reported an ADR. Barriers included uncertainty about the reporting process, lack of feedback, and perceived complexity. While SM was not a preferred reporting channel, respondents recognized its dual potential as both a source of support and misinformation. Focus group discussions reinforced these findings and highlighted the importance of ethical safeguards, including data privacy, informed consent, and content validation. Only 51 PVPs responded; most had limited ADR-reporting experience. Despite hesitations, both groups acknowledged that, with proper design and oversight, SM could support PV by raising awareness, facilitating communication, and enhancing data collection. Conclusion: SM is increasingly recognized as a potential source of real-world data for ADR monitoring, communication, and public education. Despite challenges such as misinformation, privacy concerns, and reporting quality, participants acknowledged the value of SM in enhancing PV efforts. Limited awareness of PV systems and underreporting highlight the need for broader public education. SM’s effective use in PV activities requires careful design, ethical oversight, and proactive stakeholder engagement.