Farmakovigilannti

Farmakovigilannti, often translated as pharmacovigilance, is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problem. It is a crucial component of drug safety monitoring that continues throughout the entire lifecycle of a medicine, from its development and clinical trials to its post-marketing surveillance. The primary goal of pharmacovigilance is to ensure that the benefits of medicines outweigh their risks for the population.

This process involves collecting and analyzing information about potential side effects reported by patients, healthcare professionals, and pharmaceutical companies. These reports, often referred to as adverse event notifications, are then carefully evaluated to identify patterns, assess the severity and likelihood of causal relationships between the drug and the observed effects, and determine if regulatory action is necessary. Such actions can range from updating product information and issuing safety warnings to restricting the use of a drug or even withdrawing it from the market.

Pharmacovigilance activities are typically conducted by regulatory authorities in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry. International cooperation and data sharing are also important to identify and address potential drug safety issues on a global scale. By continuously monitoring the safety of medicines once they are in widespread use, pharmacovigilance plays a vital role in protecting public health and ensuring that medicines remain a safe and effective treatment option.