It is fascinating to observe how the realities of war have affected the way in which the literature monitoring of Pharmacovigilance is carried out in Ukraine. The need for continuous monitoring of drug safety in a country at war, and the ability to adapt to the circumstances for ensuring the safety of patients, is critical.
It is worth noting that before the imposition of martial law in Ukraine in early 2022, there were concerns about the effectiveness of literature search due to the issue of digitisation and timely indexing of publications. Some argued that relying solely on electronic monitoring could lead to missing important information that is only available in print format.
Even so, Biomapas continued electronic monitoring – perhaps as a more European decision, a look into the future. By doing so, the company was able to overcome the potential limitations of relying entirely on print sources, and ensure that the critical process of drug safety monitoring was completed. This demonstrates the importance of adapting to changing circumstances and embracing new technologies to improve Pharmacovigilance practices.
The main advantages of electronic viewing of Pharmacovigilance processes during wartime:
Availability of electronic versions of publications – A number of publishing houses are located in the areas of Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro; some of the most affected regions by the war. For a while they could not physically print paper versions, but they still published electronic copies.
The possibility of viewing in any part of the country – Employees have moved across the territory of Ukraine, but electronic versions can be viewed from anywhere, only Internet access is required. The ability to view electronic publications at any time is a significant advantage for drug safety monitoring in Ukraine, particularly during times of war when daily routines can be disrupted by factors such as air rapid warnings and irregular lighting schedules.
With electronic versions, employees can access and review relevant information, regardless of their location or the time of day. This flexibility is especially important for Pharmacovigilance professionals, who need to stay up to date with the latest information about drug safety and adverse events.
The list of electronic publications is constantly increasing – Ukraine is digitising and modernising. For Pharmacovigilance experts, this means that there will be a greater availability of electronic resources for monitoring drug safety and adverse events. While also making it easier to identify potential risks and take appropriate actions to mitigate them.
The increases in availability of electronic publications is a positive development for drug safety monitoring in Ukraine, reflecting a broader trend towards digitalisation and modernisation in healthcare and drug safety around the world.
Overall, the challenges in literature monitoring of Pharmacovigilance in Ukraine during times of war highlight the importance of maintaining strong drug safety programmes. By carefully monitoring the use of medicines and identifying any safety concerns, Pharmacovigilance professionals can help to ensure that patients receive the safest and most effective treatments possible, despite of extremely difficult circumstances.
In the modern realities of wartime, Biomapas actively continues to work on identifying important information, particularly the local literature sources. By staying vigilant and proactive in monitoring drug safety, Biomapas can help to ensure that patients receive the best possible care, even in the midst of challenging and unpredictable situations.
