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Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is in the process of identifying and enrolling 20 to 25 new adverse drug reaction monitoring centres (AMCs) under the pharmacovigilence programme of India (PvPI) by end of March 2016. With this addition, the total number of AMCs currently functioning under the programme will increase to 200 from the current strength of 179.
It is understood that IPC which acts as the national coordinating centre (NCC) for the programme has received over 100 applications expressing intent to associate with IPC for ADR reporting. However, sources informed that currently the officials are sorting out the applications based on the current geographical location and disease specific requirements.
Dr V Kalaiselvan, principal scientific officer of IPC pointed out that to attain maximum impact through focused approach IPC is planning to associate with hospitals that are disease specific like kala azar. “To ensure better tapping of ADRs on specific diseases, we are planning to branch out and select AMCs from those that cater to specific diseases especially neglected diseases like Kala azar under our ambit. We also plan to select our future AMCs based on the existence and non existence of the AMCs in the states and Union territories,” he informed.
To widen the scope of PvPI and strengthen the evidence based information, special focus will also be given to identify AMCs from those locations that had no ADR centres from the earlier list of 179. He added that preference will be given to the states where there are no or less AMC existing based on population ratio of AMCs, outreach of PvPI to urban and rural India, infrastructure and expertise in pharmacovigilance, current progress of ADR reporting to PvPI etc.
In a move to further strengthen PvPI by breaking the language barrier in the ADR reporting, IPC has released the ADR reporting form in total 10 vernacular languages ensuring direct involvement of patients. Dr Kalaiselvan states that various training and education programmes are also frequently organised at IPC and AMCs to generate more awareness across the country towards patient safety.
It is reported that following regular interactions and meetings with the stake holders of PvPI, especially with the pharma companies, there has been a huge progress in getting ADR reports. IPC informs that the industry's contribution to PvPI in terms of ADR reporting turned out to be 18.80 per cent in the year 2015.
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