Adverse drug reaction reporting by community pharmacists: attitudes, practices, barriers, and facilitators

Background Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) pose a significant threat to public health, increasing morbidity and mortality rates globally. In the UAE, a national pharmacovigilance programme established by the Ministry of Health and Prevention encourages healthcare professionals, including community pharmacists, to report ADRs, although reporting is currently voluntary rather than mandatory. Timely and accurate ADR reporting is essential to enhance patient safety, minimise negative effects, and improve overall healthcare outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate community pharmacists’ attitudes and practices regarding ADR reporting and to explore the associated barriers and facilitators to provide this service.Methods In this cross-sectional study, a validated questionnaire was distributed online to community pharmacists across the UAE via social media platforms, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and X. The study utilised a custom-designed questionnaire to assess community pharmacists’ attitude, practice, barriers, and facilitators regarding ADR reporting.Results A total of 533 pharmacists participated in this study. The median age was 35 years (30–42). The participants had an overall good attitude, but inadequate practice regarding ADR reporting. Lack of time (49%), poor communication with the patient (49%), reporting ADRs of multiple medications (37%), and lack of confidence to discuss ADRs with the prescriber (37%) were the most identified barriers to ADR reporting, while reminders (54%) and empowering patients (53%) were the most commonly suggested facilitators. Female pharmacists had significantly higher attitude than male pharmacists, while pharmacists who had B pharm showed less practice than those holding a post-graduate degree.Conclusion Pharmacists should engage in awareness and education campaigns aimed at enhancing their communication skills and increasing their confidence and abilities in reporting ADRs, with a specific emphasis on male and less educated pharmacists. Additionally, the integration of reminders and initiatives that empower patients can help overcome barriers to ADR reporting. These efforts have the potential to enhance medication management and boost patient safety.