India has emerged as one of the top global contributors in reporting adverse drug events, according to Dr Rajeev Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). He made the remarks during the inauguration of the 5th National Pharmacovigilance Week in New Delhi.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, which acts as the National Coordination Centre for the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (NCC-PvPI), is hosting the week-long campaign from 17 to 23 September. The theme is “Your Safety, Just a Click Away: Report to PvPI”. It aims to encourage healthcare professionals, researchers, regulators and the public to report adverse drug reactions (ADRs) more actively via simplified digital platforms.

Dr Raghuvanshi noted that since the inception of the pharmacovigilance programme, most reports have come from healthcare professionals. He stressed, however, that greater participation by patients themselves is essential for meaningful impact. He also pointed out that although India has considerable data on ADRs, its full potential is yet to be realised in terms of analysis and effective use.

The DCGI further stated that the content of pharmacovigilance must evolve with changing healthcare contexts. Policy and regulation are being updated, and there is a push toward fostering a culture of curiosity rather than apprehension. Innovative and technology-driven approaches are expected to play a key role in strengthening India’s safety monitoring framework.

Among the new initiatives launched for this week are a short film on the PvPI, a pharmacovigilance comic in several vernacular languages to raise public awareness, and an online reporting platform accessible via QR code. Awards have also been given to outstanding contributors in ADR reporting, including recognition for hospitals and individuals showing exemplary commitment to patient safety.