PV-INPATIENT

Reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by patients may contribute to the improvement of drug safety. Thence, we evaluated Turkish inpatients’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding pharmacovigilance in a university hospital in Turkey. An observational, cross-sectional study was performed by a face-to-face questionnaire in 260 inpatients. The mean score of knowledge level (1.38 ± 0.12) was far below that of maximum score (15 points). Although 245 of 260 inpatients (94.62%) were aware of side effects, only 18 of them (6.92%) had heard about the pharmacovigilance term and the Turkish Pharmacovigilance Center. Ten of 18 subjects (55.56%) knew that they could directly report ADRs via the reporting form. Forty-two percent of inpatients had experienced ADRs in the past, 69.16% of them preferred to consult the doctor of concern, stopping the drug being the most selected intervention (60.75%). Solely 11.11% of those who were aware of Turkish Pharmacovigilance Center (n=18) reported ADRs to the center. The knowledge, attitude, and practice of Turkish inpatients about pharmacovigilance is insufficient and should be stimulated via several ways to increase the rate of spontaneous reporting of ADRs and to ensure more sensitive attitude.