[Pharmacovigilance: education and continuing updating. The role of university institutes]

Lately, pharmacovigilance (FV) and monitoring of adverse reactions to drugs are a frequent issue of analysis and discussion due the prospective alignment of Italian FV with the European Community (EC) guidelines.

Most recent and significant available data have been reviewed.

Analysis of the 1988-1994 period shows, even though with differences among the Italian regions, a low number of reports and a low index of interest and concern among Health officers. Three issues are discussed here: 1. The necessity and the modalities to provide specific training in FV to the medical community at large, before and after the academic studies; 2. The potential advantages and feasibility of establishing FV services at regional level, and 3. The necessity to maintain a national FV service that, in close collaboration with the regional offices, analyzes all the available information, determines the course of action and maintains a tight link with the European office.

It is important to consider FV as an essential part of the academic training of medical and scientific operators, a field where universities and professional societies may play quite a significant role. The SSN (Italian Health Service) and the Health Ministry should, in turn, be responsible for organizing and directing the services provided to the territory, with acquisition and maintenance of specifically trained personnel.