Adverse drug reaction (ADR) notification drop box: an easy way to report ADRs

摘要

In India we have a large drug consuming population.There is a plethora of counterfeit and substandard drugs , drugs belonging to alternative systems of medicine like ayurveda, unani, siddha, homeopathy and drugs which have been banned/withdrawn in other countries . Because of these factors, it is all the more important that a system of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting is established. In addition, without a proper ADR database, it is difficult to withdraw harmful drugs from the market.The enormity of the problem of ADR reporting and poor post marketing surveillance by pharmaceutical companies in India is well documented . India rates below 1% in terms of ADR reporting against the world rate of 5% .This clearly shows that the concept is still in its infancy here. To overcome this, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has initiated the National Pharmacovigilance Programme (NPP) which is co-ordinated by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in New Delhi. Under this programme 24 peripheral, five regional and two zonal Pharmacovigilance Centres are asked to work cohesively to improve ADR reporting in India .