Experiences of Pharmacovigilance Contact Point in Balcali Hospital at Cukurova University

Prof. Dr. Karatas, Yusuf. Cukurova University Medical Faculty Pharmacology, Balcali, 01330 Adana, Turkey.

Pharmacovigilance is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of drug adverse effects or any other possible drug-related problems. Since 2005, Turkish Pharmacovigilance Center (TUFAM) is alerting the all doctors, dentists, pharmacist and nurses to unwanted drug effects. This center informs them about the importance of pharmacovigilance in Turkey. Also, local pharmacovigilance contact points in many hospitals arrange meetings to notify the current problems in pharmacovigilance. The local pharmacovigilance contact point in Cukurova University, Balcali Hospital informs the doctors and nurses about the pharmacovigilance practices. During last 1 year, 6 adverse drug effects from clinic departments were reported to our contact point. These unwanted drug effects were also informed to TUFAM by our contact point.

In conclusion, the implementation of pharmacovigilance can help the recognition of unwanted drug effects by doctors, dentists, pharmacist and nurses.