Knowledge of Drug Interactions Among Final Year Pharmacy Students at Universities in Enugu State, South East Nigeria

Drug interactions represent a significant source of preventable medication-related harm and a critical area of pharmaceutical knowledge for graduating pharmacy students. This study assessed the knowledge and confidence of final year pharmacy students regarding clinically significant drug interactions at universities in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 180 final year pharmacy undergraduates from two universities. A validated knowledge assessment questionnaire containing 40 case-based questions on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug interactions was administered. Student confidence in identifying drug interactions in clinical practice was also measured. Mean knowledge score was 58 percent, indicating moderate but suboptimal knowledge. Performance was notably lower in questions relating to pharmacokinetic enzyme induction and inhibition mechanisms. Confidence in recognizing interactions independently was reported by only 43 percent of respondents. Students who reported regular clinical pharmacy rotation exposure demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores. The study identified gaps in applied pharmacology and clinical drug interaction education within the pharmacy curriculum. Recommendations include strengthening clinical pharmacy rotations and incorporating interactive case-based learning on drug interactions throughout undergraduate pharmacy training. Development of drug interaction reference apps tailored to Nigerian clinical settings may further support students and practitioners. Keywords: drug interactions, pharmacy students, pharmaceutical education, Enugu State, clinical pharmacy