Knowledge of Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reaction reporting of Pharmacy and Medical Students

Background: Pharmacovigilance and ADRs reporting is practiced in developed countries regularly but its application in the developing countries is not appropriate due to lack of knowledge, understanding of ADR and its reporting and less positive attitude. Studies have shown that health centers and tertiary hospitals including regulatory authorities or hospital administration are not promoting or efficiently forcing to health professionals for reporting of ADRs timely. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted. The questionnaire was distributed in fourth year and final year classes of MBBS and pharmacy professions. Wrong answer coded with "0" and correct answer coded with "1". Results: 133 students of MBBS fourth year, 77 students of MBBS final year, 66 pharmacy students from fourth year class and 57 pharmacy students from final year class. Most of the p-values are significant which represents that students of each class have their own perception may be different from others. Low percentage was seen towards pharmacovigilance and ADRs reporting and attitude. Conclusion: Overall poor knowledge towards pharmacovigilance and ADRs reporting was noticed but fourth year students and final year students of MBBS have poor knowledge and awareness comparatively to fourth year pharmacy and final year pharmacy students respectively.