Under The Patronage of H.E. Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri 

• Second Pharmacovigilance workshop sheds light on the post execution of  the new Arab guidelines
• UAE will host the First Middle East pharmacovigilance chapter in the region

Dubai, UAE, 2 September 2015 – Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing in the Ministry of Health, the UAE Ministry of Health in partnership with leading pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim, announced today the commencement of their second pharmacovigilance workshop under the theme “Pharmacovigilance Today inthe MENA Region”.

Inaugurated by His Excellency Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, the two-day workshop aims to discuss critical factors that will contribute to building and sustaining a successful pharmacovigilance system. This focuses on the practice of monitoring the effects of medicines post licensing, to identify, assess, monitor and prevent adverse drug reactions.

The workshop comprises an array of presentations and interactive discussions on current regulations for drug marketing authorization holders, risk management and minimization, pharmacovigilance program in the UAE and communication in pharmacovigilance. The workshop also places a strong emphasis on the significance of executing the new Arab guidelines – that came into effect in July 2015 – in regulating and aligning the practice across the region.

Moreover, in line with the MOH vision of sustaining a healthy UAE community through the provision of comprehensive and responsive healthcare systems, the workshop seeks to highlight the significance of public and private sector partnerships as a way forward to achieving excellence in the field of patient safety in the UAE and across the region.

Commenting on the workshop His Excellency Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing in the Ministry of Health said: “Pharmacovigilance efforts in the region are undoubtedly progressing. However, we still need to collaborate, communicate and innovate at a local, regional and international level to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. To that point, this workshop is an important platform to understand current pharmacovigilance challenges in the region, and offers recommendations to encourage compliance and the execution of the regulations set forth by the new Arab guidelines.”

Additionally, as part of their effort to strengthen the risk management process and better align the implementation of the new Arab guidelines in the region, the UAE Ministry of Health is welcoming the host of the new Middle East pharmacovigilance chapter.

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Meshref, Medical Director Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “Our strategy is driven by a central focus on the safety and wellbeing of patients everywhere. Having said that, healthcare companies and representatives are all ethically bound to identify and respond to any drug safety issues that could compromise the health of individuals, groups and populations alike. We believe that increasing awareness on the importance of pharmacovigilance reporting, will help set these measures, and also, reinforce the process of harmonizing regulations between countries and healthcare providers in the region.”

Prof Le Louet, President of ISoP (International Society of Pharmacovigilance) stated: “We are looking forward to the initiative of establishing the new pharmacovigilance chapter in the Middle East. We are confident about the positive impact the chapter will create, and achieve the highest international standards, subsequently, forming a solid and better-aligned pharmacovigilance practice.”

The workshop also addresses the impact of technology and social media on advancing pharmacovigilance in the region, and how embracing the new platforms will improve the collection of adverse drug reactions and implementation of risk management plans. An example of such reporting is gathering user-posted data on social media, as well as conducting reporting using the right social media platforms.

Following the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and share their recommendations and suggested action plans for the region to better brace the practice of pharmacovigilance.