Community awareness programme on Pharmacovigilance organized by ADR Monitoring Centre (AMC), Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow

2 February 2026 by

Prof. Rakesh Kumar Dixit

The ADR Monitoring Centre (AMC), Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, under the aegis of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, successfully conducted Sensitization cum Awareness cum Training Programmes on “Pharmacovigilance & it’s importance” and “Tools for Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) reporting at Urban Community Health Centres (UCHCs) in Lucknow

The primary objective of these programmes was to create awareness among healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients regarding the importance of reporting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) to the nearest AMC, i.e., KGMU, Lucknow, thereby strengthening patient safety and Pharmacovigilance practices at the primary healthcare level.

During the sessions, the Pharmacovigilance team emphasized the significance of Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting, fostering a culture of vigilant and responsible ADR reporting among healthcare professionals and patients. The team made them aware of various tools which can used for ADR reporting, i.e ADR Reporting Form for HCPs/Consumers. They were also made aware of PvPI Android mobile application, the Toll-Free Helpline (1800-180-3024), which is run by National Coordination Center – Pharmacovigilance Program of India (NCC-PvPI), IPC, Ghaziabad, Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, and reporting via email (pharmacovigilance.kgmu@gmail.com).

Awareness activities were supported through the display of posters and standees and the distribution of informative pamphlets in Hindi/English. The team also interacted directly with OPD and IPD patients, explained common drug side effects, encouraged reporting of unusual symptoms, and provided step-by-step guidance on filling consumer ADR forms, assuring patients that ADR reporting is a confidential and safe process.

At the respective UCHCs, key medical and nursing personnel actively participated, including Chief Medical Superintendents, Medical Officers, Pediatricians, Sister In-charges, and clinicians from Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Medicine departments. All participants expressed strong support for the ADR reporting initiative and committed to strengthening pharmacovigilance activities at their centres.

This event was organized under the guidance of Prof. Rakesh Kumar Dixit, Coordinator-PvPI, Head of Department and Prof. Anuradha Nischal, Deputy Coordinator-PvPI, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, KGMU, Lucknow. The programmes were successfully supported by the following team members were Mr. Anoop Kumar – Senior Pharmacovigilance Associate, Mr. Akash Deep Rawat – Pharmacovigilance Associate Dr. Hari Narayan – Senior Resident & Coordinator for Pharmacovigilance Activities and Junior Residents included Dr. Annie Jacob, Dr. Karan Suneja, Dr. Shalini Singh, Dr. Faiz Abbas, Dr. Snehashis Singha, Dr. Anoop Kumar Resident, Dr. Savitha A.K., Dr. Vijay Soren, Dr. Shankar Gejji and Dr. Siddhant Mehrotra.

Overall, these initiatives marked a significant step toward decentralizing pharmacovigilance activities, embedding ADR awareness into primary healthcare delivery, and empowering healthcare professionals and the public to actively contribute to medication and patient safety.

Urban Community Health Centre (UCHC), Aliganj, Lucknow