Pharmacists’ place in the pharmacovigilance system

Pharmacists’ place in the pharmacovigilance system

Poster

Violeta Getova 
Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv

Aim: The study aims to analyze the role pharmacists play in the practical implementation of risk-minimization measures. This includes detection and reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADR), supporting safe medicines use and educating patients on possible drug interactions. Methods: In order to outline the framework of everyday pharmacy practice essential parts of several guidelines have been analyzed. The key elements of good pharmacovigilance practice and good pharmacy practice in EU member states have been defined with a focus on drug safety and management of ADR. Results and conclusion: Pharmacy practice guides define several key points relevant to pharmacovigilance. They can be summarized as activities for prevention, reporting and resolving ADRs and drug interactions, management of off-label use, personalized care for special groups of patients and promotion of rational OTC-use. Pharmacists are also the most accessible healthcare professionals in the EU and have the opportunity to maintain stable communication with patients which could contribute to rational and effective medicines use. Pharmacists’ expert knowledge of medicines has the potential to contribute more effective drug safety management and better adherence to the risk-minimization measures.