Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities related to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problem associated with the use of pharmaceutical products. This includes screening and monitoring thousands of medications before they hit the market, performing ongoing surveillance, and taking action to minimize the risks of adverse drug reactions.

The primary aim of pharmacovigilance is to ensure that the benefits of a given drug outweigh its potential risks, and it plays an essential role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications by identifying and addressing any issues that arise post-approval. It’s a highly regulated, specialized field that involves numerous stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, drug development companies, regulatory agencies, and patients.

Some of the key activities involved in pharmacovigilance include:

1. Case reporting: This involves collecting and analyzing data on adverse events and other drug-related problems
2. Signal detection: Identifying new or unexpected adverse events that may be related to a specific drug
3. Risk assessment: Evaluating the severity and frequency of adverse events and determining the potential risks associated with a given medication
4. Risk management: Developing and implementing strategies to minimize the risks of adverse drug reactions, such as updating product labeling or changing clinical practice guidelines
5. Communication and education: Communicating new safety information to healthcare professionals and patients to ensure appropriate use and monitoring of medications.

Overall, pharmacovigilance is critical for safeguarding public health and ensuring that medications are safe and effective for their intended use.