What is "pharmacovigilance," and why is it important?

Pharmacovigilance is defined as the science and activities related to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems. The primary goal of pharmacovigilance is to enhance patient safety and ensure that the benefits of a medication outweigh its risks throughout its lifecycle. By rigorously monitoring the effects of medications after they are approved, healthcare professionals can identify potential safety concerns that may not have been evident during clinical trials, thereby leading to improvements in prescribing practices, drug labeling, and regulatory decisions.

This practice is critical for protecting public health, as it allows for the timely identification of previously unrecognized risks associated with medications. Furthermore, pharmacovigilance provides essential data that can inform guidelines for medication use and contribute to informed healthcare decisions. This vigilance is necessary to maintain a high standard of patient care and minimizes the adverse consequences associated with drug therapy.