Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety

Pharmacovigilance is also called as drug safety, it is a pharmacological science that is related to the detection, collection, assessment, monitoring, and prevention of adverse effects with the therapeutic products. The term "Pharmacovigilance" is originated from Pharmakon (Greek for drug) and Vigilare (Latin for to stay watch).

It usually focuses on adverse drug reactions, or ADRs, that are defined as any response to a drug that is toxic and undesirable, including lack of efficacy. Therapeutic errors like high-dose, misuse, and abuse of a drug as well as drug exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding, are significant.