Knowledge and Attitude towards Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting among Dental Students in a Private University, Malaysia

Objective: This study was conducted among the dental students to evaluate the knowledge and attitude towards pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reactions reporting among the dental students in a private university, Malaysia. Methods: The survey was carried out among the pre-final and final year dental students using a pre-validated questionnaire that included the demographics details and survey items related to knowledge and perception aspects towards adverse drug reactions and pharmacovigilance. The questionnaire was distributed to the participants (n=100). A total of 61 questionnaires were duly filled out, giving a response rate of 76.25%. The survey data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The overall mean score on knowledge among the dental students was found to be 15.84. The study also observed that mean score on attitude in pre-final year and final year dental students were 11.03 and 20.44 respectively. The overall mean score for attitude on ADRs reporting and pharmacovigilance was found to be 22.65. Conclusion: The results show that knowledge of dental students who participated in the study towards pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting was low. However, 15.6% of pre-final year students and 27.6% of final year students expressed positive attitude towards pharmacovigilance and ADRs reporting. As part of future health care professionals, they are expected to have sound knowledge and positive attitude towards pharmacovigilance activities.