Attitudes and knowledge of hospital pharmacists to adverse drug reaction reporting

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.