Academic Journal
Practice, knowledge and attitude of physicians and pharmacists towards the spontaneous reporting system of adverse drug reactions in Switzerland.
| Title: | Practice, knowledge and attitude of physicians and pharmacists towards the spontaneous reporting system of adverse drug reactions in Switzerland. |
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| Authors: | Strobel FA; Faculty for Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland., Stammschulte T; Pharmacovigilance, Safety of Medicines Division, Swissmedic, Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, Berne, Switzerland., Beeler PE; Faculty for Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland.; Center for Clinical Research, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital/University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland. |
| Source: | British journal of clinical pharmacology [Br J Clin Pharmacol] 2026 Aug; Vol. 92 (8), pp. 2797-2808. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 17. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 7503323 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1365-2125 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03065251 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Br J Clin Pharmacol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Oxford : Wiley-Blackwell Original Publication: London, Macmillan Journals Ltd. |
| MeSH Terms: | Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems*/statistics & numerical data , Pharmacists*/statistics & numerical data , Pharmacists*/psychology , Physicians*/statistics & numerical data , Physicians*/psychology , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*/epidemiology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice* , Attitude of Health Personnel*, Humans ; Switzerland ; Male ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Pharmacovigilance ; Aged ; Young Adult |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is essential for detecting drug risks. Despite legal obligations in Switzerland, underreporting remains an issue. This study assessed practice, knowledge and attitudes towards the spontaneous ADR reporting system among physicians and pharmacists. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was disseminated via professional associations to physicians and pharmacists in Switzerland. The 21-item questionnaire assessed reporting practice, knowledge, attitudes, information needs and improvement suggestions. Multivariable regression (odds ratios [ORs], 95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]) examined associations between participant characteristics and reporting habits. Results: A total of 1108 participants (834 physicians, 274 pharmacists) were included. ADRs had been suspected by 589 (53.2%), and 562 (50.7%) had reported ≥1 ADR. Most participants rejected the notion that reporting is pointless (999, 90.2%). Although 716 (64.6%) were aware of reporting obligations, 477 (43.1%) perceived reporting as time-consuming and 270 (24.4%) reported legal concerns. About half indicated no lack of incentives (587, 53.0%) and no concerns regarding personal (580, 52.3%) or patient data protection (545, 49.2%). More than half desired clearer guidance on reportable ADRs (609, 55.0%) and 648 (58.5%) expressed interest in pharmacovigilance training. Reporting ADRs was independently associated with increasing age and training (ORs between 1.28 [95% CI: 1.15, 1.42] and 1.92 [1.32, 2.79]), whereas investing >10 min in reporting was associated with age ≥60 (OR 1.59 [1.07, 2.38]), training (OR 1.28 [1.14, 1.45]) and pharmacist status (OR 1.83 [1.34, 2.51]). Conclusion: The fundamental willingness to report ADRs despite a simultaneous lack of specific knowledge indicates a need for targeted information campaigns and training opportunities. (© 2026 The Author(s). British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Pharmacological Society.) |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Switzerland; adverse drug reactions; pharmacists; pharmacovigilance; physicians; spontaneous reporting system; underreporting |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260418 Date Completed: 20260729 Latest Revision: 20260813 |
| Update Code: | 20260813 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13421059 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/bcp.70543 |
| PMID: | 41998847 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
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