KNOWLEDGE OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS AND PHARMACOVIGILANCE ACTIVITY AMONG THE UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF GUJARAT

Aims & Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the baseline knowledge of awareness regarding the ADRs and Pharmacovigilance activity in the undergraduate medical students of different Medical Colleges in Gujarat, India. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire based multicentric study in six Government Medical Colleges of Gujarat (India). Material and Methods: Questionnaire was developed to assess the knowledge of the ADRs and Pharmacovigilance activity. A total 18 questions were divided in two groups: Type-A regarding the ADRs and Type-B regarding the Pharmacovigilance. The questions were distributed to all 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate medical students and allowed to write down the answers independently. Each correct answer was given a score of '1' whereas the wrong/not given answer was given a score of '0'. The total score was 18. Statistical analysis: We applied appropriate statistical test and used Epi Info software for analysed the data. Data was expressed in number as well as percentage. Results: The study involved total 880 undergraduate medical students, of them 526 were the 2nd year students whereas 354 were the 3rd year students. Among 2nd year students, 54(10.3%) and 34(6.5%) have given the correct answer of type-A and type-B questions, respectively whereas in 3rd year, 22(6.2%) and 04 (1.1%) have given the correct answer of type-A and type-B questions, respectively. Overall knowledge of ADRs and Pharmacovigilance activity was poor in undergraduate medical students of Gujarat. Conclusions: The undergraduate medical students are a future doctor in society. The deficiencies in knowledge regarding ADRs and Pharmacovigilance need the urgent attention on priority basis, not only for the success of the Pharmacovigilance program, but for the better clinical management of the patients in general.