Enhancing adverse drug reaction reporting through a pharmacy-led multi-component intervention: A real-world pre–post evaluation

Background Underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remains a major challenge in pharmacovigilance despite established reporting systems in Saudi Arabia. Limited healthcare professional (HCP) engagement, inadequate awareness, and low patient participation contribute to low reporting rates, while evidence on integrated real-world interventions remains scarce. Objective To evaluate the feasibility and real-world impact of a pragmatic, multi-component intervention combining HCP education, community engagement, and a QR code–based digital ADR reporting system. Methods A quasi-experimental pre–post study was conducted at Turaif General Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Seventy-eight matched HCPs completed validated questionnaires before and after the intervention to assess ADR reporting knowledge, perceptions, barriers, and facilitators. The intervention included implementation of a QR code–based reporting system in the outpatient pharmacy, targeted HCP education, and community awareness activities. ADR reports during a 4-month baseline period were compared with those from a 4-month post-intervention period. Results HCP knowledge (mean difference = 0.311; p = 0.0092) and perceptions (mean difference = 0.354; p = 0.0037) improved significantly after the intervention, whereas perceived barriers and facilitators did not change significantly. ADR reports increased from 11 at baseline to 156 post-intervention, representing a 14.2-fold increase. Patients and the public submitted 33% of all reports. Conclusion This pragmatic, pharmacy-led intervention was feasible and substantially improved HCP knowledge, perceptions, and ADR reporting. Integrating digital reporting with professional education and community engagement may strengthen patient-centered pharmacovigilance and medication safety.