KNOWLEDGE OF AND ATTITUDES ABOUT ADVERSE DRUG REACTION REPORTING AMONG RHODE-ISLAND PHARMACISTS

OBJECTIVE: To survey pharmacists' knowledge of the adverse drug reacti on (ADR) reporting process, as well as the nature and seriousness of A DRs observed by pharmacists, and to determine how pharmacists perceive their role in monitoring and reporting suspected reactions. DESIGN: A survey was mailed to 793 Rhode Island pharmacists with a 40% (318) re sponse rate. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-five surveys were reviewe d for final analysis. Pharmacists in retail settings were more likely than hospital pharmacists to be aware of ADRs relating to therapeutic inequivalence and over-the-counter products, and more likely to ask th e patient about ADRs (40% vs 16%), Hospital pharmacists were more like ly to receive ADR information from physicians (40% vs 15%). Almost all pharmacists (97%) believed that action should be taken when a serious ADR is suspected. Younger pharmacists (<45 y) were more willing to co ntact the physician and refer the patient to medical attention. CONCLU SIONS: Our results show that fewer than half of the respondents (41%) claimed to have observed a serious ADR (potentially life-threatening o r requiring hospitalization), although almost all (97%) believed that pharmacists should take some action when a serious ADR is suspected. T he influence of the practice setting, the number of years in practice, and the number of hours worked per week influenced the reporting prac tices and attitudes.