The importance of Phamacovigilance in Public Helath System and its role in public health programs

Abstract

The role of Pharmacovigilance (also known as drug safety) in public health is widely recognized. Pharmacovigilance is a tool that takes care of patient safety. No one wants to harm a patient, but any medication can cause it. The implementation of a pharmacovigilance system in the country is essential for the rational and safe use of medicines, alos for supporting public health programs, as well as it builds public confidence in their country’s health policies. Despite the progress that has been made in pharmacovigilance, the burden on public health of adverse reactions to medicines remains significant. Pharmacoeconomic studies on the costs of ADRs suggest that governments pay considerable amounts from their health budgets towards covering the costs associated with them. A well-integrated pharmacovigilance system in the public health system will save costs by identifying drug use risks and adequate management strategies to help better assess the risks and benefits of medication, inform patients, educate, and ultimately help the health care program achieve its goal. It is also a kind of insurance to avoid the use of falsified, ineffective and non-standard medicines and to reduce the irrational use of resources.