[e-drug] WHA: Pharmacovigilance Side Event, 24 May

E-DRUG: WHA: Pharmacovigilance Side Event, 24 May
-------------------------------------------

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to invite you to the following side event during the 65th World Health Assembly, in Geneva:

When: 24 May 2012, 12:30–14:00
Where: Room IV, Palais des Nations
What: Empowering patients in pharmacovigilance: first results from an interregional consortium.

You will hear from a consortium of pharmacovigilance and patient representatives, on how far we have come in advancing medicines
safety; and how patients contribute to our knowledge of the safety and safe use of medicines. Together we will discuss challenges, opportunities, and strategies for promoting best practices in global pharmacovigilance. Join us in giving voice to our position, that, if we don’t count on patients, patient-care will not count.

I look forward to seeing you at the Palais on 24 May 2012. Please save the date.

With kind regards,

Dr Shanthi Pal
Pharmacovigilance Programme Manager
Quality Assurance and Safety: Medicines
Department of Essential Medicines and Health Products
World Health Organization
Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: + 41 22 791 1318
E-mail: pals@who.int
Website: http://www.who.int/medicines

E-DRUG: WHA: Pharmacovigilance Side Event, 24 May (2)
----------------------------------------------

[Unfortunately, messages informing about events at the World Health Assembly will be of interest only to those attending the WHO. As for Pharmacovigilance, it is also unfortunate that the main annual events such as ICPE and ISOP are so expensive that it is difficult for people even to attend those. With the increasing activities in Africa, I hope there will be opportunities for more people. There are also courses offered in Sweden at the Uppsala monitoring centre, www.who-umc.org. Moderator]

Problem is some of us in the developing world cannot make it. Its very
short notice yet we have to seek for funding and sponsorships to attend
such events. We could potentially benefit from such a forum and share our
experiences.

Pharmacovigilance is a great component of pharmaceutical care and am glad
even patients have their experiences to share.

Wishing you a great session.

Dr Sylvia Opanga
Clinical Pharmacist
Lecturer University of Nairobi
Kenya
sylvia.adisa@gmail.com