PHARMACOVIGILANCE

Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other possible drug-related problems.Recently, its concerns have been widened to include
• herbals
• traditional and complementary medicines
• blood products
• biologicals
• medical devices
• vaccines.

IMPORTANCE OF PHARMACOVIGILANCE IN EVERY COUNTRY

There are differences among countries (and even regions within countries) in the occurrence of ADRs and other drug-related problems. This may be due to differences in diseases and prescribing practices, genetics, diet, traditions of the people, drug manufacturing processes used which influence pharmaceutical quality and composition, drug distribution and use including indications, dose and availability.
The use of traditional and complementary drugs (e.g. herbal remedies) may also pose specific toxicological problems, when used alone or in combination with other drugs.Therefore, Pharmacovigilance is needed for detecting ADRs and specifically to combat counterfeit and substandard quality products. ADR monitoring ensures that patients obtain safe and efficacious products.

The Specific Aims of Pharmacovigilance are to

• improve patient care and safety in relation to the use of medicines and all medical and paramedical interventions.
• improve public health and safety in relation to the use of medicines.
• contribute to the assessment of benefit, harm, effectiveness and risk of medicines, encouraging their safe, rational and more effective (including cost-effective) use.
• promote understanding, education and clinical training in pharmacovigilance and its effective communication to the public.