Authors : Shamisale Keegan; Harriet. C. Kwenda; Kasonde Bowa; Chisotwa Muyembe

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/57erd3b4

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/y6fpccyr

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar297

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Pharmacovigilance has grown significantly in recent years and its importance in the healthcare system has been recognized worldwide. However, there are considerable issues which need to be addressed to ensure the safety of medicines. WHO pharmacovigilance indicators have been endorsed as a suitable tool regarding refining pharmacovigilance activities. Zambia with numerous challenges of medicines related issues is supporting the growth of pharmacovigilance in the public health facilities. The study assessed the status of pharmacovigilance in the public health facilities (health Centres) of Kafue District with a vision of improving the pharmacovigilance system in the district. The researcher was guided by the objectives of the study which included: To identify the existence of pharmacovigilance committees in the public health facilities of Kafue district; to assess the status of pharmacovigilance reports in the public health facilities of Kafue district and to determine the impact of poor pharmacovigilance in the public health facilities of Kafue district. The significance of adverse drug reaction reporting was noted as it had a critical role in pharmacovigilance. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive study design in the Six (6) selected health centres in Kafue District. The data was collected using prescribed pharmacovigilance indicators. Data was displayed qualitatively and quantitatively. A statistical Software (SPSS version 21.0 used to analyze quantitative data and the results were presented using graphs and frequency tables. Out of a total of six (6) health facilities sampled in Kafue district, Five (5) had showed availability of a pharmacovigilance focal point person. Standardized functional accommodation was a challenged in all the six facilities. Additionally, only one (1) facility (The District Hospital) had shown availability a financial provision for pharmacovigilance activities in the district. Another common parameter noted was the absence of the adverse drug reaction reports in the four (4) facilities. The number of adverse drug reaction reports found in the system ranged from 0 to 7 and only 2 health facilities had fully submitted their reports to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre. Limited documented medicines related admissions were noted, ranging from 0.0874/1000 to 0.0532/1000. Additionally, poor documentation of pharmacovigilance services was a common variable observed in all the six (6) selected facilities in the district. The study findings call for an urgent need to develop and improve pharmacovigilance in health facilities of Kafue District.

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