Current challenges in reporting and documentation of adverse drug reactions in homoeopathy Pharmacovigilance practice: A review

Abstract

Pharmacovigilance deals with detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse drug reactions. Though the homoeopathic treatment deemed to be safest, few adverse reactions were reported which are basically, due to use of medicines without the prescription, guidance or without supervision of a qualified physician. Homoeopathy, regarded as the second largest system of treatment, is catching on popularity and extensively practiced all over the world. ADRs are poorly reported and documented in homoeopathy when compared to conventional system of medicine. It may be either because of carelessness on the part of doctor or non-development of ADR at all. Through this review an effort has been done to find out possible challenges and solutions in reporting and documentation of ADRs in Homoeopathy practice.Methods: An intense literature study has been done on the concerned websites, databases, related journals, about implementation of pharmacovigilance in Homoeopathy. Available Publications till May 2022 along with literatures of Homoeopathy were analysed.Results: Challenges in reporting and documentation of ADRs from confounding illness, counterfeit drugs, Web – based medications, self-medication, clinical trials were identified along with lack of awareness among Health care professionals in pharmacovigilance practice was noticed which include how to report, where to report, how to fill the form, how to identify ADRs and importance of ADRs reporting and documentation etc. Possible Solutions like conducting regular CME programmes for Health care professionals which will help them in pharmacovigilance practice and providing proper incentives or awards by government which will encourage them in ADRs reporting and documentation.