Pharmacovigilance regulatory actions by national pharmacovigilance centres in Arab countries following COVID-19 pandemic.
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Al-Zubiedi SA, Younus M, Al-Khalidi S, Ekilo M, Alshammari TM
Expert Opin Drug Saf - (-) - [2022-08-01; online 2022-08-01]
Pharmacovigilance (PV) activities were affected by COVID-19. Therefore, several health authorities around the world have issued guidelines and practices to ensure that PV activities are maintained and continued during the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the preparedness and performance of national PV systems in 14 Arab countries. This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted between July and October 2020. National PV centres in 18 Arab countries were invited to participate in this study. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize and present the results of this study. Responses were obtained from 14 (77.8%) countries. Adverse events reporting was the main PV activity that was covered by PV guidelines and practices. National guidelines and practices covered other PV activities in 8 (57.14%) of the participating countries. Performance and practices of national PV centres vary considerably among participating countries during the pandemic. The findings highlight the differences in preparedness and performance of different national PV centres in participating Arab countries. Improving digital infrastructure among participating countries could serve as a useful tool to minimize the impact of the pandemic on PV activities.
PubMed 35915555
DOI 10.1080/14740338.2022.2108398
Crossref 10.1080/14740338.2022.2108398