Progress in practice - The UKCPA autumn symposium was held in Blackpool on November 19-21, 1999
The number of adverse drug reactions (ADR) reports via the yellow card scheme from hospital pharmacists was disappointing, although the quality of these reports was good, said Mr CHRIS GREEN (school of pharmacy and chemistry, Liverpool John Moores university).
Of 322 hospital pharmacists who responded to a postal questionnaire, 97 per cent knew that they could report ADRs but only 26 per cent had done so. Almost all pharmacists knew the criteria for reporting ADRs for new and established drugs but fewer knew the criteria for vaccines and herbal medicines. Reasons for not reporting included a lack of clinical time to identify ADRs (57 per cent) and a lack of time to report (45 per cent). Only 38 per cent had received ADR related training. Education appeared to have a significant impact, making pharmacists more likely to submit reports and to know the criteria for reporting.
More training, time, encouragement to report (perhaps from the Society), better feedback and increased publicity of the scheme would increase reporting, he said.