(167) Community Pharmacists-Reported Barriers and Facilitators for Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting; Findings of a Focus Group Study

Publication Number: 498

Background: Adverse drug reactions reported by community pharmacists are crucial as they are more frequently visited by the public compared to other healthcare professionals. However, underreporting of adverse drug reactions among community pharmacists is a widespread problem around the world. Therefore, identifying the barriers and facilitators associated with voluntary reporting of adverse drug reactions among community pharmacists might help to understand various ways to increase the contribution from community pharmacists.

Objectives: To identify the barriers and facilitators associated with voluntary reporting of adverse drug reactions among community pharmacists.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted over a period of six months. The study involved focus group discussions with the community pharmacists practicing in the Mysuru district. The demographic details and study-specific details such as barriers and facilitators for active participation of community pharmacists in adverse drug reactions reporting were documented. The findings were presented descriptively.

Results: A total of 205 community pharmacists participated in this study. Lack of recognition of adverse drug reaction reporting as a professional responsibility by the community pharmacists (132, 64.4%), followed by lack of time (42, 20.5%) and assuming adverse drug reaction reporting as the responsibility of physicians (27, 13.2%) were the most common barriers reported by the respondents. Having a user-friendly online reporting system (92, 44.9%) and professional development programs focusing on skills to identify and report adverse drug reactions by community pharmacists (51, 24.9%) were the most common facilitators reported.

Conclusions: There is a need for structured professional development programs to strengthen the knowledge and skills of community pharmacists for their active participation in the national pharmacovigilance program.