INDIA – A NEW CONTRIBUTOR TO THE PHARMACOVIGILANCE MOVEMENT

Every drug has two facets and the sinister side is becoming more apparent every day, sometimes resulting in product recalls by regulatory agencies due to serious adverse effects. Monitoring of unwanted side effects of allopathic drugs administered alone, and in combination with other drugs or dietary products causing drug-drug and drug-herbal/food interactions were lacking earlier, but information is now being unearthed in India. The aim of pharmacovigilance programmes is to bring this treasure trove of knowledge under one umbrella for consumers and all other stakeholders. Such programmes are meant to create awareness among physicians and surgeons for the better treatment of patients by advocating safe use of drugs, and at the same time collect risk/benefit data and collaborate globally to form a strong post-market surveillance network. Hopefully, the seeds of such programmes sown today will blossom into powerful and efficient tools and lead to meaningful outcomes in the future. Presently, pharmacovigilance in India is in its nascent stage. After two unsuccessful attempts, the third Indian venture to construct a pharmacovigilance network has taken root and is expected to bear fruit. The overall objectives of this review are: to ensure the safe use of medicines in diverse and sensitive patient populations; to improve patient care through judicial use of drugs and plant-derived remedies; to improve public health and safety by the assessment of risks and benefits of medicaments; and to promote education and clinical training of health professionals in the management of risks/benefits associated with existing and new medicines.