Citizens often express concern both in society and on social networks about the quality of medicines sold in country. It should be noted that medicines registered in Azerbaijan are checked at the Analytical Expertise Center of the Ministry of Health before import. Therefore, the PS of the Center addressed the questions of interest to the population to Farid Hasanov, head of the Pharmacovigilance Department of AEC.
– We would like you to provide information on how quality control of medicines is carried out in your department. What is your activity?
– Pharmacovigilance Department – First, side effects and benefit-risk ratios are systematically monitored to ensure the safe use of medicines. For this purpose, information is collected, registered, evaluated and archived. Then, necessary measures are taken to establish relationships between the parties and minimize the harm that the medicines can cause. As can be seen from the concept of pharmacovigilance, it is a scientific activity carried out in the direction of detection, evaluation and prevention of side effects of medicines and other undesirable results arising during the use of medicines. For information, the side effects of the medicinal product mean an unexpected adverse reaction of the human body when using the medicinal product in the dosage specified in the instructions for use. The instructions for use is included with each medicine, and the package insert lists additional effects in the side effects section. Examples of side effects include: nausea, headache, vomiting, etc.
– Pharmacovigilance Department – First, side effects and benefit-risk ratios are systematically monitored to ensure the safe use of medicines. For this purpose, information is collected, registered, evaluated and archived. Then, necessary measures are taken to establish relationships between the parties and minimize the harm that the medicines can cause. As can be seen from the concept of pharmacovigilance, it is a scientific activity carried out in the direction of detection, evaluation and prevention of side effects of medicines and other undesirable results arising during the use of medicines. For information, the side effects of the medicinal product mean an unexpected adverse reaction of the human body when using the medicinal product in the dosage specified in the instructions for use. The instructions for use is included with each medicine, and the package insert lists additional effects in the side effects section. Examples of side effects include: nausea, headache, vomiting, etc.
– What procedures should citizens go through if they want to receive information about the side effects of medicines online?
– On the official website of AEC (www.pharma.az), you can find the corresponding medicine by name and download the instructions for use (leaflet). The insert also contains information about possible side effects of the medicine.
– On the official website of AEC (www.pharma.az), you can find the corresponding medicine by name and download the instructions for use (leaflet). The insert also contains information about possible side effects of the medicine.
– How many notifications about medicines were received and by whom to the Pharmacovigilance Department of the “Analytical Expertise Center” (AEC) of the Ministry of Health during this year?
– From January 1 to August 31 of this year, the Pharmacovigilance Department of AEC of the Ministry of Health received 115 notifications about side effects. Of the notifications sent from them, 46 – medical workers, 68 – pharmaceutical companies and only one belongs to patients. More detailed information can be found on the Center’s official website in the news section by following the link: http://www.pharma.az/index.php?lang=1&ind=news&id=166).
– From January 1 to August 31 of this year, the Pharmacovigilance Department of AEC of the Ministry of Health received 115 notifications about side effects. Of the notifications sent from them, 46 – medical workers, 68 – pharmaceutical companies and only one belongs to patients. More detailed information can be found on the Center’s official website in the news section by following the link: http://www.pharma.az/index.php?lang=1&ind=news&id=166).
– How can citizens find out about the actions taken regarding their application?
– Initially, the information provided is evaluated. According to the results of the assessment, appropriate measures are taken (additional information on the safety of the medicine for medical workers and patients can be added to the instructions; preparation of a new text of the instructions for use of medicine (leaflet); withdrawal of the decision on state registration of the medicine in case of side effects and etc). This information is published from time to time on the official website of the AEC.
– Initially, the information provided is evaluated. According to the results of the assessment, appropriate measures are taken (additional information on the safety of the medicine for medical workers and patients can be added to the instructions; preparation of a new text of the instructions for use of medicine (leaflet); withdrawal of the decision on state registration of the medicine in case of side effects and etc). This information is published from time to time on the official website of the AEC.
