India Observes 5th National Pharmacovigilance Week to Boost Drug Safety

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), serving 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, New Delhi. The week-long observance, from 17th to 23rd September 2025, is being celebrated under the theme “Your Safety, Just a Click Away: Report to PvPI”. The initiative seeks to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, regulators, researchers, and patients about the importance of actively reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) through simplified, technology-driven platforms.

Strengthening Patient Safety through Pharmacovigilance

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), emphasized the central role of pharmacovigilance in ensuring patient safety. He noted that the initiation of National Pharmacovigilance Week has significantly transformed India’s approach to monitoring drug safety.

“With the volume of reporting we have achieved, India now ranks among the top global contributors in adverse event reporting,” he said.

Dr. Raghuvanshi stressed that while healthcare professionals have been the primary reporters since the programme’s inception, true impact will come only when patients themselves take an active role in reporting ADRs. He acknowledged that while a considerable amount of data is being collected, its optimal utilisation for strengthening pharmacovigilance systems remains an area of improvement.

Changing Context of Pharmacovigilance in India

Dr. Raghuvanshi pointed out that the landscape of pharmacovigilance has evolved considerably in the country. He underlined the need to update its content and methodology to match the changing healthcare environment.

He urged stakeholders to foster a culture of curiosity rather than apprehension, encouraging innovation and smarter integration of digital technology to strengthen the monitoring system. “We have succeeded in placing IPC and IP at the highest policy agenda of the country,” he observed, adding that pharmacovigilance is now being recognized as an essential pillar of healthcare governance.

New Initiatives Launched

During the event, IPC announced several public engagement and digital initiatives to enhance reporting and awareness:

• Short Film on PvPI – Released to educate citizens on the importance of ADR reporting.

• Pharmacovigilance Comic in Vernacular Languages – Designed to improve public outreach, particularly in rural and regional communities.

• New Online Reporting Platform with QR Code Access – Aimed at making ADR reporting faster, user-friendly, and accessible across digital devices.

These initiatives are expected to bridge the gap between patients and regulators, ensuring a more inclusive and transparent safety reporting system.

Awards for Excellence in Pharmacovigilance

The ceremony also honored exemplary contributions in the field of pharmacovigilance through the PvPI Awards:

• PvPI – Patient Safety Excellence Award was presented to the ADR Monitoring Centre at Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Centre, Varanasi, recognizing its outstanding efforts in preventing and monitoring ADRs.

• PvPI – Patient Connect Award was conferred on Mr. Delli Kumar T. from Vikruthamala, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, for his active and consistent role in ADR reporting, symbolizing the vital role of patients in the safety net.

Presence of Distinguished Experts

The event was attended by senior leaders and experts in the field of pharmacovigilance and healthcare, including:

• Dr. V. Kalaiselvan, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director, IPC

• Prof. Y. K. Gupta, National Scientific Advisor, PvPI

• Dr. Nilima Kshirsagar, Former National Chair – ICMR & Vice-Chancellor, MUHS, Maharashtra

• Dr. Jai Prakash, Senior Principal Scientific Officer & Officer-in-Charge, PvPI – IPC

Their participation reflected the collaborative effort of policymakers, scientists, and practitioners in strengthening India’s drug safety framework.

Towards a Safer Healthcare Ecosystem

The observance of National Pharmacovigilance Week 2025 reinforces India’s commitment to building a robust, patient-centric drug safety monitoring system. With initiatives promoting patient participation, digital accessibility, and community outreach, IPC and PvPI are working towards making ADR reporting “just a click away.”

By integrating advanced technology, recognizing frontline contributions, and involving patients in the safety process, India aims to set new global benchmarks in pharmacovigilance and ensure safer healthcare for all citizens.