Awareness Program on Pharmacovigilance and Misleading Advertisements at Muniyal IAMS

Date :Oct 21, 2024

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An Awareness Program on Pharmacovigilance and Misleading Advertisements was conducted at the Muniyal Institute of Ayurvedic Medical Sciences, Shivalli, Manipal, organized by Father Muller Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Deralakatte, under the Ministry of AYUSH On 21^st October 2024. The program was aimed at creating awareness about the importance of pharmacovigilance, adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting, and combating misleading advertisements in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Homeopathy.

The event saw an active participation of approximately 318 attendees, comprising UG & PG students and faculty members of the institute.

The program commenced with a prayer followed by a warm welcome address by the representative from Muniyal Institute. The welcome speech emphasized the significance of pharmacovigilance in traditional medicine systems and introduced the speakers for the event.

Dr Jagadish G. Mitti, an expert in Ayurvedic Pharmacovigilance, delivered a session on "Introduction to Pharmacovigilance and ADR Reporting System". He provided a comprehensive overview of the basic concepts of pharmacovigilance, its importance in patient safety, and the mechanism for reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the Ayurvedic system. The session helped attendees understand the need for systematic monitoring and reporting of ADRs to ensure the safe use of Ayurvedic medicines.

A brief break was provided for refreshments.

Dr Fathima Soudath, Junior Research Fellow at Father Muller Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, led a session on "Misleading Advertisements: Examples and Reporting Protocols". In her presentation, Dr Fathima discussed the rise of misleading advertisements related to health products, particularly those in the AYUSH sector. She provided real-world examples of false claims made by companies and explained the legal and ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals in reporting such cases. She also walked the participants through the protocols and channels for reporting misleading advertisements to the authorities, empowering them to contribute to the regulation of fraudulent practices.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by a representative from the Muniyal Institute, expressing gratitude to the speakers, the organizing team, and the Ministry of AYUSH for their support in making the event successful.

The Pharmacovigilance Awareness Program was a resounding success, achieving its goal of educating students and staff on the importance of pharmacovigilance, ADR reporting, and addressing misleading advertisements. With 318 participants, the event provided valuable insights into these crucial aspects of traditional medicine safety and regulation. The interactive sessions allowed for a productive exchange of ideas and fostered a deeper understanding of the role healthcare professionals play in safeguarding public health.

The program received positive feedback from both students and faculty, many of whom expressed their interest in further training and participation in pharmacovigilance activities. The sessions provided them with practical knowledge and motivated them to actively engage in the reporting of ADRs and unethical advertisements.