Pharmacovigilance Systems In Africa: North Africa / Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This presentation introduces the concept of pharmacovigilance, defined by the WHO as 'the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other possible drug related problem', and summarizes the extent to which it is done in Africa (programmes tend to be more developed in North Africa), and factors that contribute to the existence of a pharmacovigilance programme in African countries. Lessons learned are listed, and recommendations are made for the improvement of pharmacovigilance in Africa