AWARENESS AND ADVERSE DRUG REACTION REPORTING PRACTICES OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS AND PATENT MEDICINE VENDORS IN IBADAN SOUTH WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Detection and spontaneous reporting of ADRs by private providers could reduce their consequences. Little is known about the awareness and reporting of ADRs among private health care professionals in Oyo State, Nigeria. This study was designed to assess the level of awareness and adverse drug reaction reporting practices of community pharmacists (CPs) and patent medicine vendors (PMVs) in Ibadan South West LGA. The study design was descriptive and cross-sectional. All the CPs and PMVs who were available and consented to participation in the LGA were enrolled in the study. A total of 21 and 128 CPs and PMVs respectively completed a 29- item validated questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, ADRs awareness, experiences and ADRs practices. Awareness of the respondents to ADRs was measured on a 13-point scale, while practice was measured on a 5 point scale. Awareness scores of <6 and >7 were classified as poor and good respectively. Practice scores of < 2 and > 3 were classified as poor and good respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p= 0.05. A majority, 85%, of CPs reported to have been trained on reporting ADRs while few PMVs (29.0%) reported to have been trained. Trained respondents received training from NAFDAC (PMVs -30.6%), UCH (6.7% CPs and 14.3% PMVs), pharmacist’s continuous education (CPs - 53.4%) and NDLEA (PMVs -20.4%). A majority of CPs (95.2%) and PMVs (84.4%) were aware of causes of ADRs which included patient sensitivity to a drug (CPs-95.2%; PMVs-77.6%), drug-drug reaction (CPs -100.0%; PMVs -86.1%) and patient using alcohol to swallow medication (CPs -95.0%; PMVs-91.1%). Most of the respondents (CPs-100.0%; PMVs-85.2%) had good awareness about risk factors facilitating ADRs. Familiarity with the ADR reporting process was low as 47.6% CPs and 75.1% PMVs had not encountered any ADR. Of those that encountered ADR (52.4 % CPs; 21.0 % PMVs) 4 weeks preceding the survey, only 5.0% CPs and 2.7% PMVs ever reported. Major reasons for not reporting encountered ADRs were not knowing where to report (CPs -28.6%; PMVs-56.8%), insufficient knowledge (CPs -33.3%; PMVs -32.2%) and ADR reporting being time wasting (CPs 9.5%; PMVs 25.4%). Seminars and education on ADR (90.5% CPs; 83.3% PMVs) and increased sensitization and awareness (85.7% CPs; 62.3% PMVs) were suggested for improving ADR reporting.

The majority of community pharmacists and patent medicine vendors in Ibadan South West have good awareness about adverse drug reaction and but poor awareness on the reporting process, therefore affecting their reporting practice. Educational interventions in form of formal training and seminars are needed to address the awareness-practice gap.