Abstract

AN OVERVIEW DRUG LINKED COMPLICATIONS OF NON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN COMMUNITY PHARMACY

Dawn V. J.*, Amritha G. S., Annamol Babu, Nishana Parveen P. K. and Sharon Mariyam Raju

ABSTRACT

WHO defines pharmacovigilance as the “science and activities related to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other possible drug-related problem”. Pharmacovigilance aims at making the best use of medicines with the help of high quality data obtained through a reporting system. Pharmacovigilance involves activities associated with understanding, assessment, detection and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems. Pharmacovigilance is a continuous process established for safety evaluation followed by steps to improve safe usage of medicines. Pharmacovigilance is needed in India to protect the population from potential harm and adverse effects of drugs. World Health Organization (WHO) defined ADR as “A response which is noxious and unintended, and which occurs at doses normally used in humans for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy of disease, or for the modification of physiological function”. Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI) encourages all types of suspected ADRs reporting which can be known or unknown, serious or non-serious and frequent or rare. ADRs associated with the use of allopathic medicines, vaccines, traditional medicines, medical devices, contrast media, etc. can be reported. Over the counter drugs are medicines sold directly to a consumer without a requirement for a prescription from a healthcare professional, as opposed to prescription drugs, which may be supplied only to consumers possessing a valid prescription. A community pharmacist plays an important role in the identification, detection, prevention and management of ADRs. Community pharmacist has another advantage of detecting and reporting ADRs related to OTC drugs and herbal drug products.

Keywords: Pharmacovigilance. Adverse drug reaction, over the counter drugs, ADRs reporting, Community pharmacist.