ABSTRACT:
AIM: To assess the awareness regarding pharmacovigilance among second year medical students. MATERIALS:A suitable, validated, cross-sectional questionnaire; (Definitions, Reporting, Analysis, Documentation, Examples), was administered to 120 second year medical students of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India. RESULTS: Out of the 120 students, 108 participated in the study. The results reveal that on an average, the test population was aware of the overall knowledge of pharmacovigilance to the extent of 54.67 %, whereas 56.87 % seemed to possess the various aspects of reporting process. Regarding definitions, examples, reporting and analysis; 65.38 %, 66.34 %, 56.87 % and 64.42 % possess the knowledge respectively. However, only 23.71 % were comfortable regarding documentation. Regarding reporting, 76.9 % believed that any healthcare professional can report adverse drug reaction (ADR), while 16.2% opined that it is the duty of doctors only. CONCLUSION: This study shows that their knowledge about pharmacovigilance (regarding definitions, examples, reporting and analysis) are as per their curriculum and is appreciable; however, additional training in the aspect of documentation is needed so as to enable them for effective reporting when they become eligible.