Reporting and learning systems for medication errors- The role of pharmacovigilance centres

This publication is intended to strengthen the capacity of national pharmacovigilance centres (PVCs) to identify, analyze and issue guidance to prevent or minimize medication errors (MEs) that harm patients. In addition, it is intended to stimulate cooperation between national PVCs and patient safety organizations (PSOs) to work together in order to minimize preventable harms from medicines.

Background and technical guidance are provided on the principles and methods of ME incident reporting and learning. This information is intended to assist PVCs and PSOs to begin using the same philosophy, terminology, and processes when undertaking this work.