PHARMACOVIGILANCE, as defined by WHO is - detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse reactions [ADRs] or any medication related problems.
Studies to evaluate safety profile of medications were instituted in early 2002. Considering the fact that no medication is inherently safe, the treatment objectives to outweigh the benefits over the unwanted reactions of medications was emphasized including the need to monitor their safety profile.
It is true that – globalization coupled with explosion in availability of medications and access to information through internet facility on medicinal products has tremendously influenced the use of medicinal substances. In addition, with the recent ‘mushrooming’ of manufacturing units and simultaneous increase in the number of new medications there is a need to be alert about the ADRs.