ABSTRACT
Background: Promotional drug literature (PDL) seems to be the source of information most commonly used by physicians to update their knowledge on existing and new drugs. Aim and Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of resident doctors about PDL. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational, questionnaire-based study. Approved by institutional Ethics committee. A pre-validated questionnaire (google form) was sent among the resident doctors. A total of 50 residents voluntarily participated in the study. The collected data were analyzed as frequencies and percentage. Results: About 88% of residents were aware about term PDL. Only 50% resident doctors felt that PDL provides adequate drug information. Around 78% participants were aware that both forms of nomenclature should be included in PDL. Almost 92% participants had knowledge regarding complete drug information in PDL. Regarding safety information, 70% resident doctors felt that contraindication should be included in PDL. About 48% participants agreed that PDL might influence prescribing practice. Around 78% participants agreed that doctors’ integrity could compromised by accepting gifts from pharmaceutical representative. Conclusion: However, participants had knowledge about PDL but there is a need to educate students at an early stage about ethical guidelines for assessing PDL.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Vaccines could play an important role in increasing population immunity. Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) is a recent development to improve the speed and transparency of vaccine safety post-marketing. Aim and Objective: To describe adverse events following COVID-19 immunization phase 1. Materials and Methods: An observational primary questionnaire-based study was conducted regarding AEFI after getting approval from Institutional Ethics Committee. Total 241 health care providers were sent pretested and validated questionnaires through SMS containing online Google form link, data were collected. AEFI was classified and percentage value calculated, association between age and gender difference established by Chi-square test. Results: Among 241 health care providers 103 were voluntarily participated. Following 1st dose of vaccination, out of 103 healthcare provider 45 (44%) experienced local as well as systemic kind of reactions. Most common local and systemic reaction were pain at injection site and fever respectively. Following 2nd dose of vaccination, out of 103 healthcare providers, 29 (28.40%) experienced local as well as systemic reaction. Most common local and systemic reaction were pain at injection site and headache respectively. NSAIDS were most commonly used medication to resolve AEFI after 1st and 2nd dose of vaccine. Conclusion: Vaccine have side effects, but none of them are as severe as the disease itself. Active surveillance for adverse events to vaccine is a good method for detecting and quantifying mild adverse events.