Integrative Pharmacovigilance: Monitoring Adverse Events in Herbal, Nutraceutical, and Conventional Therapies

Abstract

Pharmacovigilance (PV) is responsible for monitoring the safety of allopathic(drugs), herbal (medicines) and nutraceutical (food-based products). Given the increasing use of traditional and natural therapies, UV reports of adverse events and herb-drug interactions are also on the rise. Yet. PV systems are ill-positioned to effectively monitor non-conventional therapies due to regulatory gaps, a lack of standardization, and underreporting. Integrative PV approaches- through better regulatory harmonization, the development of standardized adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting, Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, inter-professional and collaborative approaches, and education – are a useful and effective way to monitor consumer safety. An integrated and inclusive approach to PV will improve patient safety and lead to better-informed therapeutic choices in all health care systems.