Abstract
Backgraund and Objective: "Adverse Drug Reaction" (ADR) is defined as harmful and unintended effects of drugs in normal usage and dose. Pharmacovigilance (PV) deals with identification, monitoring, prevention or minimizing adverse effects of drugs. The aim of this study was to gauge the level of PV knowledge and awareness of health professionals in Karaman,Turkey.
Design, Patients and Sample Size: The survey was concluded amongst 161 physician located in the city of Karaman. Our aim was to measure the level of awareness in the subject matter of general PV knowledge of physicians. Interviews were held face to face.
Settigs : SPSS 17,0 package program was used during statistical analyses of data.
Main Outcome Measures and Results: 158 of 161 physicians answered questionnaire in this study. Although 49,2 % of the physicians who participated in this study mentioned that they knew the definition of PV, only 86% of this group correctly identified PV. It was determined that 11% of physicians received PV training. 80 % of participants said that they have experienced adverse reactions during drug administration, but only 4% physicians said they filled the "Adverse drug reaction form". 18% Physicians knew that drug adverse reactions should be reported to a center, but only 1 person answered the center's name correctly.
Conclusions: In this study showed us the knowledge of ADRs and PV are inadequate among doctors working in Karaman, so the ADR reporting among the physician was insufficient. Rigorous service training programs need to be created in order to eliminate this deficiency and more in-depth information on PV must be provided in medical schools and after graduation.

Key words: Pharmacovigilance, Adverse drug reactions, Survey