From the Foundation

Why Pharmacovigilance Matters More Than Ever

Over the past three issues of The Pillar, we have explored how evidence prevents harm, why science must reach the clinic, and why research must be communicated effectively to improve patient care. Yet even the best evidence cannot answer every question about medicine safety. Once medicines are used in everyday clinical practice, new information continues to emerge, making pharmacovigilance an essential part of healthcare.

Pharmacovigilance is the science and practice of detecting, assessing, understanding, and preventing adverse effects or other medicine-related problems. Although medicines undergo rigorous testing before approval, clinical trials cannot capture every possible adverse reaction. Rare events, long-term effects, and reactions in special populations often become apparent only after medicines are widely used.

In low-resource settings, monitoring medicine safety poses unique challenges. Limited reporting systems, shortages of trained personnel, inadequate documentation, and competing healthcare priorities can hinder the identification and response to adverse drug reactions. As a result, many medicine-related harms remain unreported, and opportunities to improve patient safety are lost.

Yet pharmacovigilance does not require sophisticated technology to start making a difference. It begins with observant healthcare professionals, patients, or community members who recognise unusual reactions, document them accurately, and report them through the appropriate channels. Every report contributes to a growing body of evidence that helps healthcare systems make safer decisions.

At the Qua Pillar Health Research Foundation (QPHRF), we believe that strengthening pharmacovigilance is fundamental to improving the quality use of medicines. A culture of reporting and continuous learning enables healthcare systems to protect patients today while improving care for tomorrow.