Objective To assess extent and determinants of past-month recognition of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADR) and past-year ADR reporting among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Uganda. Setting Geographically diverse health facilities (public, private for-profit, private not-for-profit). Participants Of 2000 questionnaires distributed, 1345 were completed: return rate of 67%. Primary and secondary outcome measures Per cent HCPs who suspected ADR in the past month; reported ADR in the past year. Results Nurses were the majority (59%, 792/1345). Only half the respondents had heard about pharmacovigilance: 39% of nurses (295/763; 95% CI 35% to 42%), 70% otherwise (383/547; 95% CI 66% to 74%). One fifth (268/1289 or 21%; 95% CI 19% to 23%) had suspected an ADR in the previous 4 weeks, 111 of them were nurses; 15% (190/1296) had reported a suspected ADR in the past year, 103 of them were nurses. Past-month ADR suspicion was more likely by non-nurses (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.40) and with medical research involvement (OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.15) but past-month receipt of patient ADR-complaint predominated (OR=19, 95% CI 14 to 28). Past-year ADR reporting was higher by hospital staff (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.10), especially in medicine (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.08 to 4.73); but lower from private for-profit health facilities (OR=0.5, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.77) and by older staff (OR=0.6, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.91); more likely by HCPs who had ever encountered a fatal ADR (OR=2.9, 95% CI 1.94 to 4.25), knew to whom to report (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.46), or suggested how to improve ADR reporting (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.49). Two attitudinal factors were important: diffidence and lethargy. Conclusions One in five HCPs suspected an ADR in the past-month and one in seven reported ADR in the previous year. Empowering patients could strengthen ADR detection and reporting in Africa.

Ceftriaxone has a high propensity for misuse because of its high rate of utilization. In this study, we aimed at assessing the appropriateness of the clinical utilization of ceftriaxone in nine health facilities in Uganda. Using the World Health Organization (WHO) Drug Use Evaluation indicators, we reviewed a systematic sample of 885 patients’ treatment records selected over a three (3)-month period. Our results showed that prescriptions were written mostly by medical officers at 53.3% (470/882). Ceftriaxone was prescribed mainly for surgical prophylaxis at 25.3% (154/609), respiratory tract infections at 17% (104/609), and sepsis at 11% (67/609), as well as for non-recommended indications such as malaria at 7% (43/609) and anemia at 8% (49/609). Ceftriaxone was mostly prescribed once daily (92.3%; 817/885), as a 2 g dose (50.1%; 443/885), and for 5 days (41%; 363/885). The average score of inappropriate use of ceftriaxone in the eight indicators was 32.1%. Only 58.3% (516/885) of the ceftriaxone doses prescribed were administered to completion. Complete blood count and culture and sensitivity testing rates were 38.8% (343/885) and 1.13% (10/885), respectively. Over 85.4% (756/885) of the patients improved and were discharged. Factors associated with appropriate ceftriaxone use were gender, pregnancy status, days of hospitalization, health facility level of care, health facility type, and type of prescriber.

Pharmacovigilance on the African continent has developed over time, with 50 of the 54 countries currently being members of the WHO Programme for international drug monitoring. However, there are still challenges, such as weak regulation, insufficient resources, and differing policies. This expert opinion provides unique insights from long-term experience overcoming some of these challenges and proposes some solutions for implementing pharmacovigilance in resource-limited settings. This was an expert opinion on the pharmacovigilance landscape in Africa with a focus on reporting, good pharmacovigilance practice inspections, resources available, and the adoption of artificial intelligence. The literature search for the review was carried out in June 2023 on selected electronic databases that included PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify relevant literature published from 2017 up to date while the expert opinion is an informed position from decades of practice in the area. African countries are at different maturity levels and pharmacovigilance competence. A few countries have outstanding pharmacovigilance systems, while the majority do not have fully functional systems. African countries may pool resources through regional blocs to implement joint pharmacovigilance activities. With advancements in technology, countries are expected to embrace artificial intelligence to ensure sustainable pharmacovigilance practices.

Uganda has rapidly increased access to antimalarial medicines in an effort to address the huge malaria disease burden. Pharmacovigilance information is important to guide policy decisions.

Medication errors (MEs) are largely under-reported, which undermines quality improvement and medication risk management in healthcare.

Although the national HIV control programme in Uganda has a well-established system for monitoring disease progression and treatment outcomes, monitoring of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is inadequate. In order to address under-reporting of ADRs, the National Pharmacovigilance Centre, in collaboration with the HIV control programme, piloted a targeted spontaneous reporting (TSR) system as a complementary method to traditional spontaneous reporting.