Pharmacovigilance and pharmacogenetics

Question 1

Define pharmacovigilance

Answer 1

• The science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug related problem

Question 2

Why is an understanding of pharmacovigilance important?

Answer 2

• Enhance patient care and safety
• Support public health programmes
• Provide reliable, balanced information for effective assessment of risk-benefit profile of medicines

Question 3

Which authorities do new drugs have to go through?

Answer 3

• European medicines agency
• MRHA

Question 4

What is the most common clinical adverse event?

Answer 4

• Drug reaction

Question 5

What is the result of ADRs?

Answer 5

• 6.5% all hospital admissions due ADRs
• 15% of all hospital in patients will suffer an ADR
• Extended clinical significance (beds, duration of stay, lost productivity)