Objective: To try to find the pattern of adverse reactions to drugs (ARD), as observed by Primary Care doctors, and the opinion of these on control of drugs.
Design: This was a descriptive, crossover study carried out by means of a postal questionnaire filled in by the interviewee. SITE. The Province of Córdoba.
Participants: Primary Care doctors in the province of Córdoba.
Main measurements and results: 403 doctors (rate of reply: 31.6%) answered the questionnaire. The most commonly observed ARDs are those connected with digestive conditions (dyspepsia, 19.4%; diarrhea, 10.9%; nausea and vomiting, 10.4%), followed by dermatological complaints. 36.6% of doctors suspect at least one ARD a week. The therapeutic groups most frequently responsible are analgesic/antiinflammatory drugs, followed by antibiotics/chemotherapies. 49.7% were ignorant of the "Yellow Card" programme, although 86.6% showed a favorable attitude to being notified.
Conclusions: The level of awareness of the possibility of ARD among the doctors polled is high. The "Yellow Card" programme is still little known. It is well worth circulating information, especially in view of Primary Care professionals' high level of motivation.