EVOLVING TRENDS IN PHARMACOVIGILANCE AND MEDICINE SAFETY SYSTEM: A LITERATURE REVIEW

For effective pharmacovigilance system, a strong linkage and coordination is needed with the regulators in order to keep them aware of the issues related to medicine safety so that appropriate regulatory actions can be ensured for safeguarding the public health. The aim of this study is to summarize research findings from developed and developing countries as well as from Pakistan regarding evolving trends and future prospects of pharmacovigilance and medicine safety system. A total of 63 studies were reviewed in terms of pharmacovigilance and medicine safety system operational in different countries. The review concluded that pharmacovigilance systems have been evolved from traditional practices of reporting towards online reporting system in many developed as well developing countries. Inadequate knowledge of healthcare professionals towards pharmacovigilance have been reported which can adversely affects the capacity of the system to monitor safety of medicines. Healthcare professionals have been involved in ADR monitoring in developed world, however this development must be replicated in developing countries to enhance the professional competence of the professionals to promote safe use of medicines Key words: ADR, pharmacovigilance, medicine safety system, healthcare professionals, Knowledge, Perceptions