Drug Safety

**Drug safety**, also known as **pharmacovigilance**, is a critical field that ensures the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals throughout their lifecycle. This discipline encompasses the systematic collection, detection, assessment, monitoring, and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and medication errors, thereby protecting patients from potential harm due to medications. The importance of drug safety is underscored by historical tragedies, such as the 1937 sulfanilamide disaster, which prompted robust regulatory reforms and established rigorous safety protocols led by authorities like the FDA. As medications are used widely, real-time monitoring continues to highlight new safety issues, making pharmacovigilance a fundamental component of healthcare. Recent advancements in technology, particularly involving **artificial intelligence** (AI) and real-world data (RWD), are transforming drug safety monitoring. These innovations enable quicker detection of ADRs and enhance compliance with pharmaceutical regulatory standards. Furthermore, initiatives such as the **American Drug Safety Summit** and the **Global MedSafetyWeek Campaign** focus on collaborative strategies to improve drug safety practices worldwide. These efforts emphasize the need for comprehensive education and awareness about medication side effects, thereby encouraging healthcare providers and patients to engage in ongoing safety dialogues. By integrating improved methodologies and acknowledging certain vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women, the field of drug safety actively aims to minimize risks while promoting better healthcare outcomes.