Journal of Pharmacovigilance

The extent of pharmacovigilance awareness among pharmacy senior students of Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines

2^nd International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Trials

November 18-19, 2013 Hilton San Antonio Airport, TX, USA

Mary Jane C. Cruz, Learni Magdalena A. Baustista and Olivia M. Limuaco

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Pharmacovigilance

Abstract:

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines pharmacovigilance as ?the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse affects or any other possible drug-related problems.? According to US Food and Drug Administration, a serious adverse reaction is one in which the patient outcome is death, life threatening (real risk of dying), hospitalization (initial or prolonged), disability (significant, persistent or permanent), congenital anomaly, or required intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damage. Since, adverse drug reactions (ADR) are common causes of morbidity and mortality in different healthcare settings, it is then very challenging that the Pharmacists are more likely to detect ADRs than other healthcare professionals. And so ,this study ?The Extent of Pharmacovigilance Awareness Among Pharmacy Senior Students of Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines? was conducted. A descriptive type of research which was conducted between January to March 2013. A validated questionnaire was administered to 336 pharmacy senior students using a Five-Point Likert Scale. The result showed that the respondents have high level of awareness on pharmacovigillance activities and knowledge on adverse drug reaction and adverse drug events with a mean of 4.01 and a standard deviation of 0.25. Also, the respondents have a mean of 3.53 and a standard deviation of 0.24 which indicates a high level of familiarity regarding ADR monitoring, reporting and documentation The respondents have a very high level of perception with 4.47 weighted mean with regards to the inclusion of pharmacovigilance in a 4-year BS Pharmacy curriculum. The respondents also strongly agree that it should be discussed in different Pharmacy subjects particularly on Internship (Hospital) with a weighted mean of 4.50. Furthermore, a general weighted mean of 4.56 implies that they have a very positive perception with regards to ADR monitoring, reporting, documentation and 4.69 on Pharmacists participation in different areas of specializations regarding the said activities. Thus the inclusion of pharmacovigillance in the pharmacy curriculum is encouraged.

Biography :

Mary Jane C. Cruz completed her Ph.D. Pharmacy at Centro Escolar University last 2006. She is teaching both in an undergraduate and graduate studies at the School of Pharmacy of the said University. Also, a panel of examiner and an adviser in research and thesis, co-authored six (6) laboratory manuals, conducted researches for the school of pharmacy, and a reviewer for the Pharmacy Board Licensure Examination.