How Dangerous is Your Pill? Drugs, Innovation, and Safety

DOI: 10.5176/2251-3809_LRPP17.52

Authors: Vera Lúcia Raposo

Abstract:

Drugs are especially dangerous products, and because of this risk they require a very demanding process of evaluation before they reach the market. On the other hand, drugs are essential for promoting and maintaining health, improving the quality of life and even avoiding death, and too many restrictions will cause a shortage of available new drugs. The process of drug approval must be demanding enough for selecting only the safest drugs, but it cannot be too demanding, or patients will be deprived of new essential therapeutic alternatives. The solution rests in investing more in pharmacovigilance to promote patient’s safety without limiting innovation.

Keywords: component; drugs; marketing authorization; research and development; adverse drug reactions; pharmacovigilance.