Experiences with consumer reporting in Portugal
New pharmacovigilance legislation allows consumers to report adverse drug reactions (ADRs) directly to competent authorities in all European Union countries. Consumer reporting is available in Portugal since July 2012. In 2013, the National Pharmacovigilance System (SNF) had received 3461 spontaneous ADR reports, of which only 1.4 % (n = 50) were from consumers. As part of a Pharmacy Master thesis, in corporation with Lareb, a study was performed to describe the attitudes and knowledge of the general public regarding spontaneous reporting and the reasons and opinions that can influence consumers’ ADR underreporting.
A descriptive-correlational study was performed looking for consumers’ attitudes and knowledge regarding spontaneous reporting. A 6-month survey was conducted from June to November 2013 in general adult consumers from a community pharmacy in Coimbra, Portugal, who used prescribed medicines or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Attitudes and opinions were surveyed by personal interview in a closed answer questionnaire using a Likert scale.
One thousand eighty-four questionnaires were collected (response rate of 81.1 %) and 948 completed were selected for analysis. Of the respondents, 44.1 % never heard about SNF. Younger people and those with a higher education were significantly more likely to be aware of SNF. Only one consumer had previously reported directly an ADR. Reporting ADRs indirectly through a healthcare professional (HCP) was preferred by 62.4 %. The main reasons for consumers reporting spontaneous ADR would be the severity of reactions (81.1 % agreed or strongly agreed) and worries about their situation (73.4 % agreed or strongly agreed).
The study concluded that consumers are more likely to do spontaneous report about severe reactions or if they are worried about the symptoms. Tailored and proactive information on ADR reporting and educational interventions on consumers could increase the number of reports from consumers in Portugal.