Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Factors that affect adverse drug reaction reporting among hospital pharmacists in Western China

  • Research Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background Hospital pharmacists can make a considerable contribution to the spontaneous reporting system of adverse drug reactions. The factors that influence adverse drug reaction reporting among hospital pharmacists remain largely unknown in China. Objective This study aims to identify factors that affect hospital pharmacist-led adverse drug reaction reporting in Xi’an, and to obtain suggestions from pharmacists about how to improve the current adverse drug reaction reporting system. Setting Hospital settings throughout Xi’an, a region of Western China. Method A matched case–control study was conducted on a population of 2,814 hospital pharmacists in Xi’an during 2011. Cases included all pharmacists who had reported at least one adverse drug reaction between 2008 and 2010 and agreed to participate in the study (186/204; 91.2 %); controls (n = 372) were pharmacists who had not reported any adverse drug reaction during the same period. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the participants. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between indicator variables and the outcome of having reported at least one adverse drug reaction. Main outcome measure Pharmacists’ knowledge, attitude and practice towards adverse drug reaction reporting and factors affecting reporting. Results Higher professional title (adjusted OR 1.44; 95 % CI 1.07–1.94; p = 0.018), having received training about adverse drug reaction reporting (1.64; 1.04–2.57; p = 0.032), better knowledge about reporting (1.53; 1.12–2.08; p = 0.007), “lack of access to adverse drug reaction reporting form” (0.29; 0.12–0.72; p = 0.008) was independently associated with adverse drug reaction reporting. Clinical pharmacists were more likely to report an adverse drug reaction than dispensary pharmacists (1/adjusted OR 5.26; p < 0.001), pharmacy administrators (5.00; p = 0.003), and other technicians (5.56; p = 0.001). Conclusions Higher professional title, having received training, mastering knowledge about reporting, and being a clinical pharmacist were positive predictors of pharmacist-led adverse drug reaction reporting. Lack of access to reporting forms was a negative predictor. Continuous training and establishing incentive mechanisms are needed to promote adverse drug reaction reporting among hospital pharmacists.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lazarou J, Pomeranz BH, Corey PN. Incidence of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients. JAMA. 1998;279(15):1200–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Classen DC, Pestotnik SL, Evans RS, Lloyd JF, Burke JP. Adverse drug events in hospitalized patients. JAMA. 1997;277(4):301–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Pirmohamed M, James S, Meakin S, Green C, Scott AK, Walley TJ, et al. Adverse drug reactions as cause of admission to hospital: prospective analysis of 18820 patients. BMJ. 2004;329(7456):15–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Wise L, Parkinson J, Raine J, Breckenridge A. New approaches to drug safety: a pharmacovigilance tool kit. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2009;8(10):779–82.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Scott HD, Thacher-Renshaw A, Rosenbaum SE, Waters WJ, Green M, Andrews LG, et al. Physician reporting of adverse drug reactions. JAMA. 1990;263(13):1785–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Hazell L, Shakir SA. Under-reporting of adverse drug reactions: a systematic review. Drug Saf. 2006;29(5):385–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. The Ministry of Health. Provisions for reporting and monitoring of adverse drug reactions. 2011. http://china-pharm.com.cn/News_View.asp?Newsid=183&Page=1 Cited 24 Dec 2014.

  8. Du W, Guo JJ, Jing Y, Li X, Kelton CM. Drug safety surveillance in China and other countries: a review and comparison. Value Health. 2008;11(Suppl 1):S130–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. China Food and Drug Administration. Annual report for National Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring. 2012. http://www.sda.gov.cn/WS01/CL0051/79058.html Cited 25 July 2014.

  10. Ekman E, Bäckström M. Attitudes among hospital physicians to the reporting of adverse drug reactions in Sweden. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2009;65(1):43–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Aagaard L, Stenver D, Hansen E. Structures and processes in spontaneous ADR reporting systems: a comparative study of Australia and Denmark. Pharm World Sci. 2008;30(5):563–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Van Grootheest AC, van Puijenbroek EP, de Jong-van den Berg LT. Contribution of pharmacists to the reporting of adverse drug reactions. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2002;11(3):205–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Ahmad SR, Freiman JP, Graham DJ, Nelson RC. Quality of adverse drug experience reports submitted by pharmacists and physicians to the FDA. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 1996;5(1):1–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Lee A, Bateman DN, Edwards C, Smith JM, Rawlins MD. Reporting of adverse drug reactions by hospital pharmacists: pilot scheme. BMJ. 1997;315(7107):519.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Wang HC, Chen LY, Lau AH. Pharmacy practice and education in the People’s Republic of China. Ann Pharmacother. 1993;27(10):1278–82.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Ryan M, Shao H, Yang L, Nie X, Zhai S, Shi L, et al. Clinical pharmacy education in China. Am J Pharm Educ. 2008;72(6):129.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. China Ministry of Health and State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Temporary regulation for pharmacy administration in medical organizations. 2002. http://www.moh.gov.cn/zhuzhan/wsbmgz/201304/c94ba546e18e488b9a1831d04c28d511.shtml Cited 18 July 2014.

  18. Van Grootheest K, Olsson S, Couper M, de Jong-van den Berg LT. Pharmacists’ role in reporting adverse drug reactions in an international perspective. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2004;13(7):457–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Belton KJ, The EPRG. Attitude survey of adverse drug-reaction reporting by health care professionals across the European Union. Eur J of Clin Pharmacol. 1997;52(6):423–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Eland IA, Belton KJ, van Grootheest AC, Meiners AP, Rawlins MD, Stricker BH. Attitudinal survey of voluntary reporting of adverse drug reactions. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1999;48(4):623–7.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Qing L, Sumin Z, Huating C, Shiping F, Xin Y, Dong L, et al. Awareness and attitudes of healthcare professionals in Wuhan, China to the reporting of adverse drug reactions. Chin Med J. 2004;117(6):856–61.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Figueiras A, Tato F, Fontaiñas J, Gestal-Otero JJ. Influence of physicians’ attitudes on reporting adverse drug events: a case–control study. Med Care. 1999;37(8):809–14.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Rogers AS, Israel E, Smith CR, Levine D, McBean AM, Valente C, et al. Physician knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to reporting adverse drug events. Arch Intern Med. 1988;148(7):1596–600.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Herdeiro MT, Figueiras A, Polónia J, Gestal-Otero JJ. Physicians’ attitudes and adverse drug reaction reporting: a case–control study in Portugal. Drug Saf. 2005;28(9):825–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Hasford J, Goettler M, Munter KH, Müller-Oerlinghausen B. Physicians’ knowledge and attitudes regarding the spontaneous reporting system for adverse drug reactions. J Clin Epidemiol. 2002;55(9):945–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Aziz Z, Siang TC, Badarudin NS. Reporting of adverse drug reactions: predictors of under-reporting in Malaysia. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2007;16(2):223–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Williams D, Feely J. Underreporting of adverse drug reactions: attitudes of Irish doctors. Ir J Med Sci. 1999;168(4):257–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Sweis D, Wong IC. A survey on factors that could affect adverse drug reaction reporting according to hospital pharmacists in Great Britain. Drug Saf. 2000;23(2):165–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Green CF, Mottram DR, Rowe PH, Pirmohamed M. Attitudes and knowledge of hospital pharmacists to adverse drug reaction reporting. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2001;51(1):81–6.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Green CF, Mottram DR, Raval D, Proudlove C, Randall C. Community pharmacists’ attitudes to adverse drug reaction reporting. Int J Pharm Pract. 1999;7:92–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Irujo M, Beitia G, Bes-Rastrollo M, Figueiras A, Hernández-Díaz S, Lasheras B. Factors that influence under-reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions among community pharmacists in a Spanish region. Drug Saf. 2007;30(11):1073–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Herdeiro MT, Figueiras A, Polónia J, Gestal-Otero JJ. Influence of pharmacists’ attitudes on adverse drug reaction reporting: a case–control study in Portugal. Drug Saf. 2006;29(4):331–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Su C, Ji H, Su Y. Hospital pharmacists’ knowledge and opinions regarding adverse drug reaction reporting in Northern China. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2010;19(3):217–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Herdeiro MT, Polonia J, Gestal-Otero JJ, Figueiras A. Factors that influence spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions: a model centralized in the medical professional. J Eval Clin Pract. 2004;10(4):483–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority. Guidelines for monitoring and reporting adverse drug reactions. 2006. http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s18571en/s18571en.pdf Cited 10 Nov 2013.

  36. Calvert RT. Clinical pharmacy—a hospital perspective. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1999;47(3):231–8.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Schlienger RG, Lüscher TF, Haefeli WE, Schoenenberger RA. Academic detailing improves identification and reporting of adverse drug events. Pharm World Sci. 1999;21(3):110–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Figueiras A, Tato F, Fontaiñas J, Takkouche B, Jesus Gestal-Otero J. Physicians’ attitudes towards voluntary reporting of adverse drug events. J Eval Clin Pract. 2001;7(4):347–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Van Grootheest AC, Mes K, de Jong-van den Berg Berg LT. Attitudes of community pharmacists in the Netherlands towards adverse drug reaction reporting. Int J Pharm Pract. 2002;10:267–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Toklu H, Uysal M. The knowledge and attitude of the Turkish community pharmacists toward pharmacovigilance in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul. Pharm World Sci. 2008;30(5):556–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Oshikoya KA, Awobusuyi JO. Perceptions of doctors to adverse drug reaction reporting in a teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. BMC Clin Pharmacol. 2009;9:14.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Zolezzi M, Parsotam N. Adverse drug reaction reporting in New Zealand: implications for pharmacists. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2005;1(3):181–8.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Green CF, Mottram DR, Rowe P, Brown AM. An investigation into adverse drug reaction monitoring by United Kingdom hospital pharmacy departments. Int J Pharm Pract. 1997;5:202–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all the hospital pharmacists who participated in this study.

Funding

None.

Conflicts of interest

Statements made in this article are the sole responsibility of the authors. There are no other conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy Administration, School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China

    Jun Liu, Shimin Yang, Bianling Feng, Jun Zhao, Hua Liu, Haiyan Huang & Yu Fang

  2. Institute for Health Management and Policy, School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China

    Zhongliang Zhou

Authors
  1. Jun Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhongliang Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shimin Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bianling Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jun Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hua Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Haiyan Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Yu Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yu Fang.

Additional information

Zhongliang Zhou is co-first author.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, J., Zhou, Z., Yang, S. et al. Factors that affect adverse drug reaction reporting among hospital pharmacists in Western China. Int J Clin Pharm 37, 457–464 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-015-0065-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-015-0065-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation