Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Ayurveda pharmacists toward pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting

Abstract

Background: Reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is an important part of pharmacovigilance practice. Considering the significance of this area, the Ministry of AYUSH has introduced a new Central Sector scheme for promoting pharmacovigilance of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs. Being key health-care professionals, physicians, pharmacists, technicians, and nurses have immense responsibility in effective implementation of pharmacovigilance programs through the surveillance and reporting of ADRs. Objective: The present study was planned with an objective to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Ayurveda pharmacists toward pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting. Materials and Methods: A total of 22 pretested questions about KAP regarding ADRs and pharmacovigilance in a Google form were made available to 170 Ayurveda pharmacists at their workplace by e-mail. Results: In the present study, total, 80 responses were received, yielding a response rate of 47%. Most of the participants (81.5%) had knowledge about the pharmacovigilance program for ASU&H drugs and also the location of their nearest pharmacovigilance center. At the same time, 34.6% among them were not aware that a specific format is available for reporting ADRs and only 42% had the knowledge that the Ministry of AYUSH is monitoring the pharmacovigilance program for ASU&H drugs in India. However, most of them (95.1%) thought that it was their responsibility to report ADRs and 92.6% of the participants wanted to make ADR reporting mandatory to pharmacists. More than half of the participants (55.6%) had come across ADRs at their workplace, and the majority of them (72.8%) had reported them. More than half of the pharmacists (51.9%) who were involved in the program revealed that they had faced problems while reporting ADRs at their workplace. Conclusion: Even though there was a positive attitude toward ADR reporting, limited knowledge about the importance of the program needed to be addressed through educational initiatives, regular sensitization, and awareness programs.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards pharmacovigilance among ayurveda physicians and teachers of Gujarat State: A cross sectional study

“…[ 6 ] A published study among Ayurveda Pharmacists conclude that, even though there was a positive attitude toward ADR reporting, limited knowledge about the importance of the program needed to be addressed through educational initiatives, regular sensitization, and awareness programmes. [ 7 ] But, till date no such studies have been reported which could establish the cause and relationship of low reporting of ADR among Ayurveda Primary Care Physicians. Hence, this study was planned to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Ayurveda teachers and practitioners of Gujarat State which may be further beneficial in taking necessary steps to improve the documentation and reporting culture.…”

ADRs (Adverse Drug Reactions) related to ayurvedic medicine used in COVID-19

“…Some adverse events have also been recorded as a result of insufficient regulatory measures, mostly uncontrolled distribution methods, such as mail order or online sales, poor quality control systems, and incorrect administration. 15 Researchers from reputable national research organisations have discovered that the polyherbal formulation AYUSH-64 can be used as a supplemental treatment for asymptomatic, mild and moderate Covid-19 infection. 16 At the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad (NIN-ICMR), a pre-clinical investigation was also carried out to assess the immune-modulatory potential and safety/ toxicity of the AYUSH Kwatha formulation.…”

“…In order to protect the public's health, practitioners and healthcare professionals in ASU&H hospitals must now use extreme caution when it comes to drug safety monitoring. 6 Since pharmacovigilance is all about the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects of drugs or any other possible drug related problem 7 and ADR are the reaction that may be due to the drug itself or one of its metabolites, from an interaction between two or more drugs or between a drug and food. According to WHO "ADR is defined as a response to a drug that is noxious and unintended, and that occurs at doses normally used in human for the prophylaxis's, diagnosis or therapy of disease or for the modification of physiological function" 6,7 .…”

“…6 Since pharmacovigilance is all about the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects of drugs or any other possible drug related problem 7 and ADR are the reaction that may be due to the drug itself or one of its metabolites, from an interaction between two or more drugs or between a drug and food. According to WHO "ADR is defined as a response to a drug that is noxious and unintended, and that occurs at doses normally used in human for the prophylaxis's, diagnosis or therapy of disease or for the modification of physiological function" 6,7 . Suspected ADR means that while a causal relationship in the individual case has not been proven, a relationship is initially assumed to exist between the medicine taken and the symptoms or diagnosis.…”

Impact of an Educational Intervention on Awareness of Pharmacovigilance and Adr Reporting Amongst Ayurvedic Post-Graduate Students

“…Postgraduate students are essential part of a tertiary care centreand are the first contact person with the patient. Hence, this study was planned to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice pharmacovigilance amongst Ayurveda postgraduate students and impact of an educational intervention on it, probably which will improve the practice of pharmacovigilance and drug safety [5,6].…”