Advanced course on Pharmacovigilance

East African advanced course on Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management convened today, 11 April, at the Asmara Palace under the theme “safer drugs and vaccines to market by analyzing latest developments in PV, drug safety and risk management”.

Asmara, 11 April 2016:- East African advanced course on Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management convened today, 11 April, at the Asmara Palace under the theme “safer drugs and vaccines to market by analyzing latest developments in PV, drug safety and risk management”.

The advanced course that will continue until 17 of April is attended by professionals from the Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, South Sudan, Cape-Verde, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Thailand, Sweden, the US and Switzerland.

In her opening speech in which senior government and PFDJ and Ambassadors took part, the Minister of Health Ms. Amina Nurhusein said that Eritrea is proud to host such an important course that gives priority to the health of the public.

She also pointed out that Adverse Reaction (ADR) has become the main cause for morbidity and mortality in the developing countries due to the lack of drug regulatory system. She

further expressed appreciation for organizing the timely course that will help countries to develop their institutional capacity of monitoring and common understanding.

Dr. Mengis Baire, from the stakeholders and coordinators, said that Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management is one of the health sectors that need to be given due attention. He further reiterated that the African countries should build a system and harmonize Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management practices to control falsified and sub-standard medicines by strengthening institutional capacity.

The advanced course which is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health and WHO will provide a forum for internationally renowned and qualified persons, researchers, practitioners and educators to share experiences and discuss on the recent innovations, trends, opportunities as well as practical challenges encountered.

Eritrea became associate member of the International Drug Monitoring in 2003 and full member in 2014. Eritrea is also rated one of the top drug reaction reporting.