Knowledge, Attitude, and Barriers of Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reactions Reporting Among Community Pharmacists in the State of Perak, Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are continually monitored post- commercialization, with healthcare professionals, particularly pharmacists, playing a crucial role in ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance activities. Despite retail pharmacies being the most accessible point of care for the patients to report mild ADRs, ADR reporting by community pharmacists in Malaysia remains low. Hence, increasing reporting rate among ' community pharmacists is crucial to promote medication safety. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and barriers related to ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance among community pharmacists in Perak, Malaysia, and explore associations between their sociodemographic characteristics with their good knowledge and positive attitudes. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed through both physical and online survey, involving 179 community pharmacists in Perak. Data were collected using a 38-item self-administered online structured questionnaire, and statistical analysis was conducted to achieve the objectives. Results: This study revealed that community pharmacists exhibited good knowledge (82.1%) and positive attitudes (68.7%) towards ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance. However, several significant barriers hindered their reporting efforts, including the time-consuming nature of the reporting process (37.4%) and doubts about the causality of ADRs (29.7%). Remarkably, there is a significant association ' ' between gender and CPD programs participation with good knowledge. Whereas female gender, younger age and recent pharmacovigilance course exposure are associated with positive attitudes, meanwhile higher education level is inversely associated positive attitudes. Conclusion: Despite possessing good knowledge and positive attitudes, several barriers prevent community pharmacists in Perak from effectively reporting ADRs. Targeted interventions are necessary to address these barriers and improve ADR reporting rates among community pharmacists.