[Reporting of side-effects--a system in need of improvement. Reporting of a physician questionnaire]

The spontaneous reporting system in Sweden is based on reporting by health care professionals of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to the Medical Products Agency. The usefulness of the spontaneous reporting system is limited by a substantial degree of underreporting. In order to study factors that make reporting of ADRs difficult as well as to obtain responses to suggestions that could increase the reporting of ADRs, an enquiry was sent to 300 randomly selected physicians. The most important factors that make reporting of ADRs more difficult are lack of time and forgetfulness. Most physicians stated that they would report ADRs to a greater extent if reporting was simpler, if resources were available or if the response to the reporting was improved. The majority of the physicians who had a computer at work stated that they would like to access the reporting form electronically.