IPC Kicks Off 5th National Pharmacovigilance Week
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), acting as the National Coordination Centre for the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (NCC-PvPI), inaugurated the 5th National Pharmacovigilance Week (NPW) at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi. The week-long campaign, running from September 17 to 23, 2025, is focused on the theme “Your Safety, Just a Click Away: Report to PvPI.” This initiative aims to create greater awareness among healthcare professionals, regulators, researchers, and the public, encouraging them to actively report adverse drug reactions (ADRs) through simplified digital platforms.
In his keynote address, Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), highlighted the growing role of pharmacovigilance in safeguarding patient health. He noted that the introduction of National Pharmacovigilance Week has profoundly changed the course of pharmacovigilance in the country. He proudly stated that, based on the number of reports, India now ranks among the top global contributors in reporting adverse events,. This affirms the nation’s commitment to drug safety.
Bridging the Gap: From Healthcare Professionals to Patient Reporting
While India has achieved impressive global rankings, Dr Raghuvanshi noted that the majority of reports currently come from healthcare professionals. He stressed the importance of increasing patient participation. A truly meaningful impact can only be achieved when patients themselves are actively involved in reporting. He acknowledged that although there is significant data available for analysis, its optimal utilisation in strengthening pharmacovigilance is still lacking.
Dr Raghuvanshi emphasised that the context of pharmacovigilance has changed in the country, and the content must adapt to this new reality. He also called for developing a “culture of curiosity, not a culture of apprehension,” within organisations to achieve better results. To accomplish this, he stressed the need for smart integration of technology and innovative approaches to drive differential thinking. IPC also unveiled a series of new initiatives to make reporting more accessible to the public. These include the launch of a short film on PvPI, a pharmacovigilance comic published in multiple languages, and a new online reporting platform accessible via a QR code.
Recognising Excellence in Patient Safety
The event also recognised individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions to pharmacovigilance. Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi presented awards to honour their work. The PvPI – Patient Safety Excellence Award was conferred upon the ADR Monitoring Centre at Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Centre, Varanasi, for its exemplary efforts in preventing adverse drug reactions.
Additionally, the PvPI – Patient Connect Award was presented to Delli Kumar T. from Vikruthamala, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, for his active role and commitment to ADR reporting. His recognition underscores the vital role of patient participation in strengthening the pharmacovigilance ecosystem. The IPC’s new initiatives aim to not only sustain India’s position as a global leader in adverse event reporting but also to empower every citizen to become an active partner in ensuring drug safety.
