Knowledge and perception regarding adverse drug reactions among undergraduate medical students of Bihar, Eastern India

BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have national and international monitoring and are part of teaching–learning of undergraduate medical course and curriculum. OBJECTIVES: To find the knowledge and perception of ADRs among undergraduate medical students in a tertiary care teaching institute in eastern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted among the MBBS medical students by administration of pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaires. The data on their knowledge and candid reflections on ADRs were analyzed question by question using software and compared with peers. RESULTS: The responses from the participants on knowledge and perception of ADRs varied widely. Final-year students had the most precise response on classification, filing an ADR report, national reporting centers, and the first step in monitoring ADRs; the majority accepted their first- hand experience and legal and professional responsibilities on ADRs. Third-year students responded well on objectives, methods, and scope of patients on direct reporting or drug overdose and monitoring; respect patient confidentiality while reporting; and expect feedback from monitoring centers, with special training on ADR. Second-year students responded well on definitions, pharmacovigilance programs in India, alertness of banned drugs because of ADR, and related capacity building. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness and insight on ADRs of the undergraduate medical students were quite reasonable. However, further reinforcement is needed in future to be updated to relevant issues to their practice as primary care physicians.