College of Pharmacy Organizes Seminar on Pharmacovigilance and Enhancing Professional Standards for Safe Medication Use

The session featured a lecture by Pharmacist (Israa Jamal Al-Din Muhalhal Al-Saad) from the Pharmacovigilance Unit of the Basrah Health Directorate. She discussed the definition of pharmacovigilance, its underlying sciences, and the products under continuous monitoring, including medicines, medical supplies, herbs, blood products, and vaccines. Discussions also focused on combating drug counterfeiting and substandard medications, and how professional errors contribute to increased adverse effects.

The seminar emphasized pharmacovigilance goals in enhancing individual and community awareness to ensure safe medication use, identifying unexpected side effects, and handling them via official channels. Participants were introduced to official reporting methods through the (ICSR) paper form, strengthening the national health monitoring system.

This initiative is part of the college's commitment to providing advanced pharmaceutical education that bridges academic and applied aspects in the health sector.