Patient Awareness on Pharmacovigilance at the Outpatient Clinics of October 6 University Hospital
As part of efforts to enhance patient safety and improve the quality of healthcare, the Community Service Committee at the Faculty of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the Drug Information Center at October 6 University Hospital, the Community Service and Environmental Development Agency at the Faculty of Medicine, and the Pharmacovigilance Center at the Egyptian Drug Authority, organized an awareness campaign for patients at the outpatient clinics of the hospital. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the importance of pharmacovigilance and reporting adverse drug reactions.
The campaign was held under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Refaat, Dean of the Faculty, and supervision of Prof. Dr. Samir Osman, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development, with the participation of clinical pharmacists from the hospital and intern doctors from the Faculty of Medicine.
Key points covered during the campaign included:
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Introducing patients to pharmacovigilance and its importance in monitoring the drugs they take and ensuring their safety.
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Explaining how to report side effects of medications through the channels provided by the Egyptian Drug Authority.
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Educating patients on possible drug interactions and the importance of sharing their medical and drug history with doctors and pharmacists.
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Distributing educational leaflets with simplified instructions on the safe use of medications and how to report any adverse effects.
The campaign saw a high level of engagement from patients and their families, with many expressing interest in learning more about their role in reporting medication-related issues. This reflected an increasing awareness of the significance of drug safety in improving their health.
This campaign is part of the efforts by the hospital and faculty to promote patient safety culture and provide a safer treatment environment by empowering patients with the necessary information about their medications and ensuring their optimal use.