Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of pharmacovigilance?

1. To market new drugs

2. To monitor drug safety and identify adverse reactions

3. To manage prescription refills

4. To enhance drug efficacy

The correct answer is: To monitor drug safety and identify adverse reactions

The primary purpose of pharmacovigilance is to monitor drug safety and identify adverse reactions. This field of study focuses on the collection, detection, assessment, monitoring, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems. Pharmacovigilance plays a critical role in ensuring that medications are continually evaluated even after they have been approved for public use. It involves gathering data from various sources, such as healthcare professionals and patients, to better understand the risks associated with medications and to ensure that any potential harm can be identified and communicated. Through this ongoing surveillance, regulatory bodies can take necessary actions to protect public health, such as issuing safety warnings, updating labeling information, or withdrawing medications from the market when risks outweigh benefits. This option addresses the core objective of pharmacovigilance, which is essential for maintaining patient safety and improving medication management in clinical practice.