Publication:

Study on the knowledge of pharmacovigilance among medical students

Background Pharmacovigilance is the science and activity relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug–related problems. The ultimate aim of pharmacovigilance is to ensure safe and rational use of medicines, once they are released for general use in the society. The most important outcome of pharmacovigilance is the prevention of negative consequences of pharmacotherapy. So, the present study primary objective is to assess awareness of pharmacovigilance among medical students and to evaluate the knowledge of pharmacovigilance at Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Chinaoutpally (A.P.), a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods A cross-sectional study will be carried out using a pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire will be designed to assess the knowledge regarding pharmacovigilance. The medical students (Final MBBS and Interns) were included in the study during the study period. Only the participants who will give their consent will be included in the study. Results will be calculated by proper statistical analysis.

Results The current study was conducted in a medical college Dr. PSIMS and RF, which included a total of 180 medical students 75% final years, 25% interns. Most of them (89.8%) accepted that reporting ADR is necessary and pharmacovigilance should be taught in detail to healthcare professionals.

Conclusions This study demonstrated that knowledge of pharmacovigilance among medical students is improving gradually, but unfortunately the actual practice of ADR reporting is still deficient among students.