Patients who report suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) help minimize drug safety risks and bolster the pharmacovigilance system. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of patients to pharmacovigilance and compare the tools used to promote patient reporting in European countries that implemented this reporting type in 2012-2013. A web-based questionnaire was sent to the national competent authorities (NCAs) of the European countries. The received answers were systematized and compared using statistical analysis. The performed statistical analysis demonstrated that changes in the number of received ADR reports increased significantly in each country during the analyzed period. These changes were significantly different in Ireland and Finland from those in the other reviewed countries. The common source of information on direct patient reporting was the country's NCA website. Other sources used were social media pages, leaflets, and posters. This is the first study on patient reporting schemes implemented after the significant reform of the European regulatory system for pharmacovigilance. However, some countries did not actively promote their patient reporting schemes. Our findings indicate that countries with minimal experience in pharmacovigilance systems that include direct patient reporting should organize comprehensive campaigns on ADR reporting.
Keywords: adverse drug reactions; direct reporting; pharmacovigilance; promoting.