Pharmacovigilance: Enhancing Medication Safety Through Risk Management and Innovation

Abstract

Pharmacovigilance is a crucial component of healthcare systems, aimed at identifying, assessing, and preventing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to ensure medication safety and effectiveness. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of pharmacovigilance principles, challenges, and future directions. The escalating volume of ADR data necessitates a robust global network of pharmacovigilance centres overseen by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre to uncover previously unnoticed ADRs. Despite notable advancements, underreporting of ADRs remains a challenge, particularly in developing nations, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and reporting rates among healthcare professionals and consumers. Integrating pharmacovigilance into clinical research and public health initiatives is vital for enhancing drug safety and monitoring. The paper highlights the significance of risk management plans (RMPs) and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in advancing pharmacovigilance practices. Future research directions include leveraging digital healthcare data and social media for comprehensive pharmacovigilance and implementing automation tools to streamline adverse event detection and reporting processes. Understanding pharmacovigilance is essential for bolstering medication safety and improving public health outcomes.