ROLE OF PHARMACIST IN ADR (adverse drug reaction) REPORTING

The role of pharmacist in reporting ADR is appreciated all over the world. The important link between the healthcare provider and patient is pharmacist. Pharmacist role in ADR reporting is by  playing an important role in field of medicinal drugs i.e. Pharmacovigilance. Pharmacist acts as a backbone who educates patients regarding benefit risk ratio of prescribed medicine. The role of  Pharmacist in ADR reporting is to  make patient aware towards various ADR associated with drugs. Pharmacist should show leadership in maintenance, development and evaluation of ADR programs. For this, they should get approval of such programs from various committees such as pharmacy committee.

What is ADR(adverse drug reaction) reporting:-

ADR pose a serious risk to the achievement of positive outcomes. ADR reporting is a part of pharmacovigilance which not only documents uncommon ADR but also allow the risk benefit assessment for old and new medications. In United States 70% of ADR reports submitted to medical watch programme were by pharmacists where as in Nordic countries pharmacist are not in position to directly report ADR. ADR reports generated by pharmacist increased from 726 in 2006 to 3357 in 2009.

ROLE OF COMMUNITY PHARMACY IN ADR REPORTING:-

Community pharmacist plays an important role as they have added advantage of detecting and reporting ADR while dealing with OTC( over the counter) and herbal drugs. In community pharmacy, patient gives prescription to pharmacist for refilling which gives an opportunity to pharmacist to detect a possible ADR and help in management and reporting of underlined ADR. Community pharmacist plays an important role by knowing patients past and current drug history and provide essential advice to prescribers.

VITAL ROLES OF PHARMACIST IN ADR REPORTING

Pharmacists are health professionals who are easily accessible to public. They supply medicine according to prescription. Their duty also include counseling of patients at the time of dispensing of prescription and non-prescription drugs to patients and participate in health promotion programme. In India pharmacist gain more encouragement to report ADR’s which leads to patient care. India has launched pharmacovigilance programme of India to reduce the risks associated with medicines. Pharmacist has 3 important role in ADR reporting

• Pharmacist as a reporter of ADR: In this detection of ADR is collection of data. Pharmacist can provide early detection of ADR and other drug related problems by interacting with patients. Pharmacist play an important role to ensure safety of drugs.

• Pharmacist in ADR assessment: Pharmacist investigates every suspected ADR for its probability, severity, identification of past and present illness. Pharmacist reviews reported ADR and makes strategies to reduce risk of ADR. They monitor and document the suspected ADR.

• Pharmacist in ADR prevention: Pharmacist keeps the track record and monitors patient who are at high risk of developing ADR. They keep the follow up of patients to assess outcome of reaction and educating patients.

CONCLUSION: pharmacist plays a vital role in identification, detection, prevention and management of drug-drug interactions, drug interactions and ADR. Pharmacist by organizing lectures and group discussions provides information, seriousness and necessity of reporting. Pharmacist easily understands the problem of public in regards of health and convey any ADR to relevant authority.

                                                                                               Compiled by:- Ritu Dahiya

                                                                                               Assistant Professor, AIP