Integrating Pharmacovigilance into Unani Medical Education: Evidence from a Knowledge–Attitude–Practice Survey

Abstract

Background: Pharmacovigilance is essential for detecting, assessing, and preventing adverse drug reactions (ADRs), including those associated with traditional medicines. Despite the growing use of Unani medicines, formal pharmacovigilance training within undergraduate Unani medical education remains limited. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of pharmacovigilance among Unani medical students and to evaluate the need for structured pharmacovigilance training within the Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) curriculum.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted over four months, from February to May 2025, among 130 BUMS students. A structured and validated questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, pharmacovigilance knowledge, attitudes toward ADR reporting, and reporting-related practices. Domain scores were categorized according to predefined criteria. Associations between participant characteristics and desirable pharmacovigilance practice were evaluated using appropriate statistical tests and multivariable logistic regression. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Among the 130 participants, 21.5% demonstrated good knowledge, 43.8% moderate knowledge, and 34.6% poor knowledge regarding pharmacovigilance. Awareness that Unani medicines may cause ADRs was observed in 80.0%, whereas only 37.7% knew where suspected ADRs should be reported and 35.4% were familiar with an ADR reporting form. Attitudes were substantially more favorable, with 73.8% demonstrating a favorable attitude toward pharmacovigilance. Previous formal pharmacovigilance teaching was independently associated with desirable practice (adjusted OR 4.31; 95% CI 1.66–11.18; P = 0.003).

Conclusion: Unani medical students demonstrated favorable attitudes toward pharmacovigilance but important deficiencies in operational knowledge and ADR-reporting practice. The strong association between formal pharmacovigilance exposure and better practice supports the integration of structured, longitudinal, competency-based pharmacovigilance training into the BUMS curriculum.