In an endeavour to enhance the deliverables and performance of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting from all its regional training centres (RTCs), the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is planning for the expansion of its RTCs across the country. This strategic decision, aimed at strengthening the pharmacovigilence programme, was taken during the first RTC coordinators meeting at Gaziabad recently.

The meeting primarily focused on deliberating and reviewing the performance of the existing and new regional training centres in the state and Union territories under their purview. It is understood that the IPC is seriously contemplating to expand all its RTC by undertaking requisite capacity building measures for infrastructural, technical, and logistical development, for which it is soon planning to send a recommendation to the Centre requesting financial support.

The meeting also focused on preparing and finalising the future training programmes and CME’s to be organised by RTC in the current year. Dr. Kalaiselvan, principal scientific officer, IPC, informed that the meeting also discussed the possible role that Indian Medical Association (IMA) can play in the pharmacovigilance training and education for the medical fraternity, emphasising that greater participation by the healthcare providers would be an important tool for increasing the reporting of ADRs and other drug-related problems. Apart from that the meeting reviewed the activities of individual RTC and discussed various strategies to improve the awareness status.

“Considering the important role these RTCs play in sensitising PvPI across the stakeholders, it is utmost important to focus on developing and strengthening their core competency to enhance ADR reporting. In this matter the panel members reviewed SOP’s for the functioning of RTC and proposed some amendments along with key suggestions for improving their role further,” he added.

One of the key suggestions made was on how each RTC can finalise activities related to training, CMEs and awareness programmes to be organised this year, which should be soon communicated to NCC-PvPI, for preparation of calender of events.

Interestingly, along with this meeting the IPC also undertook the core training panel meeting as well. This was the second such meeting of this panel of PvPI which identifies trainers, training needs, training content and zone-wise training centres for the pharmacovigilance training programme. Informing about their role. Dr. Kalaiselvan said that the core training panel interacts with international agencies for participation and implementation of training programmes related to pharmacovigilance, while simultaneously organising training and projects budgetary requirements; developing training modules and training schedules as well.