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Adverse drug reaction reporting: Opinions and attitudes of medical practitioners in Ireland
Author(s) -
McGettigan P.,
Feely J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.023
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1099-1557
pISSN - 1053-8569
DOI - 10.1002/pds.2630040607
Subject(s) - medicine , seriousness , adverse drug reaction , family medicine , pharmacovigilance , drug reaction , agency (philosophy) , drug , regulatory agency , unavailability , medical emergency , pharmacology , philosophy , epistemology , public administration , political science , law , reliability engineering , engineering
Despite the critical role of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting in ensuring the safety of drugs in clinical practice, fewer than 10% of such reactions are reported. We analysed the views of 207 doctors in Ireland and, although well disposed towards reporting, most doctors (97%) were uncertain about the reporting criteria of the regulatory agency, the National Drugs Advisory Board (NDAB), and unclear as to the purposes of the reporting scheme. The unavailability of report forms (52%) or the address of the NDAB (28%), together with being too busy or unsure how to report were identified as major deterrents to reporting. There was general agreement about the factors important in the decision to report—seriousness of the reaction, an unusual reaction or a reaction to a new product. Almost 90% of doctors requested guidelines on reporting and regular bulletins on ADRs. Our survey indicates that doctors need ongoing education and information about this important area of drug safety if the benefits of their positive attitudes towards it are to be realized.