What is the primary purpose of pharmacovigilance?

The primary purpose of pharmacovigilance is to monitor the effects of medications after they have been approved for public use. This process involves the collection, detection, assessment, monitoring, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems. Through pharmacovigilance, healthcare professionals can report adverse reactions, enabling ongoing safety assessments of medications. This continuous process provides critical information that can lead to recommendations for safer use, adjustments in drug labeling, or even withdrawal of drugs from the market, if necessary.

Understanding the safety and efficacy of medications in real-world populations is essential, as it can differ significantly from controlled clinical trial conditions. Thus, through rigorous monitoring, pharmacovigilance plays a crucial role in protecting public health by ensuring that the benefits of medications outweigh their risks.