Pharmacovigilance: ensuring the safe use of medicines

Overview

Modern medicines have changed the way in which diseases are managed and controlled. However, despite all their benefits, evidence continues to mount that adverse reactions to medicines are a common, yet often preventable, cause of illness, disability and even death. In some countries, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) rank among the top 10 leading causes of mortality. Aside from the intrinsic dangers associated with the products themselves, individual patients may exhibit particular and unpredictable sensitivities to certain medicines. In addition, if more than one medicine is prescribed, there is always a risk of negative interactions. The selection and use of the best and safest medicine(s) for a given individual out of the many choices available thus requires considerable skill on behalf of the prescribing practitioner.