PMID- 34386242 OWN - NLM STAT- PubMed-not-MEDLINE LR - 20240403 IS - 2052-6113 (Print) IS - 2052-6113 (Electronic) IS - 2052-6113 (Linking) VI - 8 IP - 1 DP - 2021 Dec TI - A survey of veterinary professionals in Sweden: Adverse event reporting and access to product safety information. PG - e18 LID - 10.1002/vro2.18 [doi] LID - e18 AB - BACKGROUND: Pharmacovigilance based on spontaneously reported suspected adverse events (AEs) from veterinary professionals is a powerful tool for detecting potential risks of using medicinal products. However, it is heavily dependent on the voluntary participation of veterinary professionals. Estimates suggest that over 90% of suspected AEs remain unreported. This survey was conducted to accumulate information on current practices and attitudes of Swedish veterinary professionals in relation to AE reporting and their perceptions of the accessibility of updated product safety information. METHODS: Swedish veterinary professionals were surveyed using a web-based questionnaire prepared by the Swedish Medical Products Agency (SMPA). The survey included three sections with 13 questions and was distributed via several communication channels, including the Swedish Veterinary Association. RESULTS: The survey was answered by 412 veterinary professionals, including veterinarians and licensed veterinary nurses. The survey identified that most veterinarians comply with national legislation by reporting directly to the SMPA, but not all observed AEs are reported. Veterinary professionals indicated that it is important to have an easy and efficient reporting system, preferably directly from an electronic medical records system. Feedback is considered important. Veterinary nursing staff could potentially improve the reporting rate of suspected AEs in Sweden. The degree of knowledge relating to the reporting of AEs varies among professionals, thus impacting on reporting frequency. A single source of product safety information is mainly used, and improvements are required to enhance accessibility and distribution of updated product safety information. CONCLUSIONS: The insight gained from this survey will be used to influence attitudes and facilitate adaptations needed to fulfil the requirements of the European Union regulations. To reduce underreporting of AEs and facilitate access to updated product safety information, various approaches are required including educational interventions, new digital reporting tools and adaption of communication strategies. CI - (c) 2021 The Authors. Veterinary Record Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association. FAU - Mount, James AU - Mount J AUID- ORCID: 0000-0002-6812-3424 AD - Department of Drug Safety, Veterinary Medicine Group Swedish Medical Products Agency (Lakemedelsverket) Uppsala Sweden. FAU - Sjostrom, Karin AU - Sjostrom K AD - Department of Drug Safety, Veterinary Medicine Group Swedish Medical Products Agency (Lakemedelsverket) Uppsala Sweden. FAU - Arthurson, Veronica AU - Arthurson V AD - Department of Drug Safety, Veterinary Medicine Group Swedish Medical Products Agency (Lakemedelsverket) Uppsala Sweden. FAU - Kreuger, Sanna AU - Kreuger S AD - Department of Drug Safety, Veterinary Medicine Group Swedish Medical Products Agency (Lakemedelsverket) Uppsala Sweden. LA - eng PT - Journal Article DEP - 20210805 PL - United States TA - Vet Rec Open JT - Veterinary record open JID - 101653671 PMC - PMC8342559 COIS- The authors declare no conflict of interest. EDAT- 2021/08/14 06:00 MHDA- 2021/08/14 06:01 PMCR- 2021/08/05 CRDT- 2021/08/13 07:09 PHST- 2021/03/12 00:00 [received] PHST- 2021/06/18 00:00 [revised] PHST- 2021/07/15 00:00 [accepted] PHST- 2021/08/13 07:09 [entrez] PHST- 2021/08/14 06:00 [pubmed] PHST- 2021/08/14 06:01 [medline] PHST- 2021/08/05 00:00 [pmc-release] AID - VRO218 [pii] AID - 10.1002/vro2.18 [doi] PST - epublish SO - Vet Rec Open. 2021 Aug 5;8(1):e18. doi: 10.1002/vro2.18. eCollection 2021 Dec.