Knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care professionals towards pharmacovigilance in Georgia

Pharmacovigilance (PV) is fundamental for public health, focusing on the detection, evaluation, and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). ADRs significantly contribute to global morbidity and mortality. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a crucial role in ensuring drug safety, as their expertise is essential for the timely identification, management, and reporting of ADRs. Despite the importance of PV, underreporting remains a critical challenge, particularly in developing countries. The PV system in Georgia is ineffective and characterized by underreporting from healthcare professionals.

To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of PV among HCPs in Georgia.

We evaluated Georgian physicians' and nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about PV in this cross-sectional study, which ran from April 2023 to June 2024. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 342 doctors and 342 nurses who were chosen by multistage sampling in 16 districts across six regions. The questionnaire was modified from previous research to comply with local laws. Taking into account a design effect and an expected response rate, the sample size was determined using an estimated 20% awareness level of PV procedures. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 18.0, employing chi-square tests, t-tests, and descriptive statistics.

Among participants, 76.3% encountered ADRs in their practice, but only 12.95% reported them. None of the nurses and only 10.2% of physicians used the official Ministry of Health (MOH) reporting form. The main barriers to reporting were a lack of awareness about the national reporting scheme (91.7%), uncertainty about the reporting process (76.9%), and underestimation of ADR severity (40.8%). Physicians had higher knowledge scores than nurses (mean scores: 19 vs. 16; p < 0.001), while nurses had more positive attitudes toward ADR reporting (mean scores: 6 vs. 5.6; p < 0.001).

ADR reporting among Georgian HCPs is notably low due to insufficient awareness and knowledge of the PV system. This gap delays timely identification and management of adverse effects, impacting patient safety and public health. To address these challenges, strengthening PV education is essential. Integrating PV training into HCP licensing requirements, medical and nursing curricula, and Continuous Medical Education (CME) programs can enhance ADR reporting rates and engagement in drug safety monitoring.