The Safety of Medicines in Public Health Programmes: Pharmacovigilance an essential tool-2006 (WHO)

The purpose of this document is to present the case for integrating pharmacovigilance as an essential component of public health programmes (PHPs) that use medicines. It is important that active pharmacovigilance is undertaken by all PHPs that use medicines because no medicine is without adverse consequences although these vary in severity and frequency. This document highlights the importance of collaboration and communication between pharmacovigilance systems and PHPs at both the national and international levels to ensure full integration. Where there is no established pharmacovigilance system, the document argues for the importance of using a PHP as an entry point for the establishment of a fully functioning pharmacovigilance system that informs and advises the medicines regulatory authority. The document also highlights the critical strengths and weaknesses of both pharmacovigilance systems and PHPs.

This document is intended primarily for policy-makers and programme managers. More detailed information on particular programmes should be collected and made available by the specific PHP