Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been making headlines because of life threatening issues. ADRs are always underreported and still the major public health problem. Spontaneous reporting system has remained the most significant method for safeguarding patients lives. Objectives: Is to examine and analyse the various pharmacovigilance studies conducted among health care professionals, medical and pharmacy students and to make recommendations for future research. Study Selection: 14 studies covered from 2000 to 2014 were selected. Data Sources: Four electronic data-bases including Science-Direct, Springer-Link, PubMed and MEDLINE were used to obtain 30 relevant publications using HotBot and Google Scholar as search engines. Data Extraction: Studies conducted on doctors, pharmacist, community pharmacist, nurses, medical and pharmacy students were selected covering research from seven countries. Data Synthesis: Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding pharmacovigilance of health care professionals, medical and pharmacy students were poor. Longitudinal study involving educational intervention and training through workshops and seminars were found to be effective in improving knowledge and attitude of nurses. Conclusion: There is urgent need to improve knowledge, awareness and practice of health workers, medical and pharmacy students about pharmacovigilance. It is imperative for WHO and national pharmacovigilance centres to take proactive measures to curve the menace of ADRs in order to safeguard the patients lives. The curriculum of all health and health related schools should be restructured with respect to pharmacovigilance without any delay and hesitation.
Key words: Adverse Drug Reactions, Pharmacovigilance, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice
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