Pharmacovigilance programme of India: revival of the renaissance

ABSTRACT

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the fourth leading cause of morbidity in the world. In order to safeguard the health of the community, Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) is implemented as the monitoring body by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC). It is leading national authority. National Coordinating Centre (NCC) PvPI works as the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centre for pharmacovigilance. Adverse drug reactions are reported to NCC PvPI which are then directed towards WHO Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) Sweden which is the global monitoring centre for worldwide data. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is the regulatory authority of India under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India. This article focusses on the various strands of pharmacovigilance at the healthcare professional and consumer level. It also discusses the pitfalls in the journey of pharmacovigilance thus helping in enhancing the quality of health safety. Even a minuscule contribution by a health care professional or a consumer can voluminously help in promotion of drug safety. Therefore, there is a need of inculcating the culture of adverse drug reaction reporting for the welfare of the vulnerable masses.