Public awareness of adverse drug reaction medical safety

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature by assessing factors that typically engender adverse drug reactions (ADRs) jeopardizing medical safety. These factors are population knowledge, clarity in disclosure of the risks inhering ADRs and ADRs incidence. It seeks to minimize negative effect by early identification of drug reactions. Design/methodology/approach On the one hand, the study employs a model that shows relationships between various factors, and on the other hand, ADRs medical safety in the public healthcare sector. Findings Clarity of consultancy services in public healthcare significantly impact ADR medical safety. Population and healthcare provider education on ADRs medical safety are necessities. Implementation of an ADR reporting system in every healthcare institute is essential. This helps service providers to give a clear and accurate information to patients. It also makes patients more aware of consequences of ADRs. Research limitations/implications Time, place and sampling method are found to be the main study limitations. Researchers should take into their consideration the significant relationships between the factors and ADRs medical safety to improve level of awareness in the healthcare public sector. Practical implications Ways to improve ADR medical safety in healthcare sector are underscored. Healthcare service providers and professionals need to take into account the stipulated study factors in order to improve medical safety and reduce unnecessary medical costs. Originality/value Very few studies have been conducted on this topic; most of those that have been conducted were undertaken in western countries. This study assesses the level of healthcare safety in the country and suggests mechanisms to elevate that level.