Developing a consumer reporting program in Malaysia: a novel initiative to improve pharmacovigilance

Area of Science:

• Pharmacovigilance
• Public Health
• Drug Safety

Background:

• Malaysia's national pharmacovigilance program faces limitations, including few participating centers and significant under-reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
• Research from developed nations highlights the value of consumer involvement in ADR reporting.
• Improving ADR reporting is crucial for patient safety and effective drug monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a plan for establishing a consumer-based pharmacovigilance program.
• To address the under-reporting issue in Malaysia's current pharmacovigilance system.
• To enhance ADR detection and reporting through community participation.

Main Methods:

• The article outlines a proposed plan for a consumer-based pharmacovigilance initiative.
• The program is intended for implementation at the University Wellness Center, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
• Focus on strategies to engage consumers in reporting ADRs.

Main Results:

• The proposed program aims to increase ADR reporting rates in Malaysia.
• Consumer involvement is expected to supplement existing pharmacovigilance efforts.
• Enhanced data collection on ADRs is anticipated.

Conclusions:

• Initiating a consumer-based pharmacovigilance program is a viable strategy to combat under-reporting in Malaysia.
• Engaging consumers can significantly improve the completeness of ADR data.
• The proposed model at Universiti Sains Malaysia offers a potential framework for broader implementation.