Aims To investigate the attitudes of UK hospital pharmacists towards, and t
heir understanding, of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting.
Methods A postal questionnaire survey of 600 randomly selected hospital pha
rmacists was conducted.
Results The response rate was 53.7% (n=322). A total of 217 Yellow Cards ha
d been submitted to the CSM/MCA by 78 (25.6%) of those responding. Half of
those responding felt that ADR reporting should be compulsory and over thre
e-quarters felt it was a professional obligation. However, almost half were
unclear as to what should be reported, while the time available in clinica
l practice and time taken to complete forms were deemed to be major deterre
nts to reporting. Pharmacists were not dissuaded from reporting by the need
to consult a medical colleague or by the absence of a fee. Education and t
raining had a significant influence on pharmacists' participation in the Ye
llow Card Scheme.
Conclusions Pharmacists have a reasonable knowledge and are supportive of t
he Yellow Card spontaneous ADR reporting scheme. However, education and tra
ining will be important in maintaining and increasing ADR reports from phar
macists.