Drug Safety Essentials

Drugs are any chemical substances, typically of known structure, which change a person's mental or physical state when taken into the body through the various means available. There are countless drugs in the pharmaceutical industry being used to treat a wide range of diseases. All drugs carry side effects usually studied through preclinical, premarketing, and post-marketing data collected. Drugs can be addictive, misused, or abused. Excessive intake of psychoactive drugs such as painkillers and illicit drugs is an example of ways drugs can be abused or misused. Under the influence of drugs or substance abuse, people can be involved in abnormal or antisocial behavior. Long-term personality changes might also occur in those individuals, posing a significant threat to society.

The course goes through the concept of drugs, the specifics of pharmacovigilance, and adverse events following drug administration. It describes the best practices for drug safety and the consideration for prevention, especially child safety and first aid. In addition, the instructor emphasizes the role of the patient in understanding treatment protocols. Drug Safety should not be taken lightly; it is considered one of the most critical aspects of medical therapy that plays a definitive role in deciding what drug is to be administered to what patient at what time. It also covers the concept of benefit-risk balance. Consumers should educate themselves about drug safety guidelines and follow prescribers' advice.