This blog covers:
- Exploring the Definitions and Historical Context of WHO’s Involvement in Pharmacovigilance.
- Highlighting the Importance of WHO’s Contribution to Pharmacovigilance.
- Examining the Role Played by WHO in Pharmacovigilance Efforts.
WHO – World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a vital role in the field of pharmacovigilance, but its significance may not be widely known among the general public.
As a healthcare professional, you may be aware of its importance, but many others are not. Allow me to shed light on the role and importance of WHO in pharmacovigilance.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction of WHO in to pharmacovigilance
- Significance of WHO within pharmacovigliance
- Role of WHO in pharmacovigilance
- Conclusion
- References
Introduction of WHO in to pharmacovigilance
History:
The establishment of pharmacovigilance practices and regulations by the World Health Organization (WHO) was triggered by the thalidomide incident in 1961, after several years of congenitally deformed infants being born without proper resolution.
It was not until 1971, almost a decade later, that mandated regulations were put in place, following a committee for safety monitoring formed in 1962 and subsequent developments in 1968.
“WHO – the World Health Organization – stands as a beacon of global collaboration, tirelessly working to safeguard humanity’s well-being, inspire health equity, and unite nations under the banner of better health for all.”
Article Amendment:
According to Article 2 of the WHO constitution, the organization is to mandate by Member States to develop and promote international standards for food, biological, pharmaceutical, and similar products.
Article 21 allows for the adoption of regulations pertaining to the safety, purity, and potency of such products in international commerce.
Emergence of Pharmacovigilance System:
Pharmacovigilance emerged from these foundations, with Member States developing systems for collecting individual case histories of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and evaluating them.
The establishment of a central database for international ADR reports served the important purpose of contributing to the work of national drug regulatory authorities, improving the safety profile of medicines, and preventing further disasters.
Ultimate Goal of Pharmacovigilance:
In the realm of pharmacovigilance, the continuous assessment of risks and benefits of medicines is essential throughout their lifecycle, from pre-approval stages to actual patient usage.
The primary goal is to prevent and detect adverse effects, ensuring vigilant monitoring and safeguarding the well-being of patients.
The Significance of WHO in Pharmacovigilance
- Promotes global drug safety through its Programme for International Drug Monitoring (PIDM).
- Member States collaborate with WHO to identify potential relationships between drug use and adverse effects.
- WHO supports member countries in establishing national systems to report adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, (A global database).
- When signals of drug safety problems emerge, WHO shares the results with all Member States.
The role of WHO in pharmacovigilance
- Facilitating information exchange among Member States regarding the safety and effectiveness of medicines through a network of national pharmacovigilance officers.
- To support countries to establish and strengthen national pharmacovigilance systems with tools and systems and strategies.
- Promptly informing national health authorities about new information concerning serious adverse effects of pharmaceutical products.
- Providing guidelines to assist countries in establishing national pharmacovigilance centers.
- Conducting training programs for healthcare professionals on safety monitoring for new and complex medicines, such as antiretrovirals for HIV treatment.
- Assisting countries in strengthening their drug regulation and pharmacovigilance systems to enable informed regulatory decisions.
- Promoting global adoption of best practices in pharmacovigilance.
Conclusion
Based on the information provided above, this write-up offers a concise overview of the WHO’s involvement in pharmacovigilance.
It sheds light on the significance and role of the WHO in this field, potentially providing valuable insights for readers.
If there are any key points we missed or mistakes that need correction, feel free to bring them to our attention. Your feedback is always welcome.
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