Awards presentation by PANS BUK EXCOS to the presenters

The Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students, Bayero University Kano (PANS-BUK), recently convened a pharmacovigilance workshop that brought together experts, students, and future healthcare professionals to examine the science of drug safety, adverse drug reaction reporting, and the evolving role of pharmacists in public health.

The Pharmacovigilance Workshop organized under the academic leadership of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students, Bayero University Kano (PANS-BUK), recorded significant attendance and engagement, drawing close to 200 participants. The event was designed to strengthen understanding of medication safety and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting among pharmacy students and other healthcare-related participants.

Expert Insights on the Scope of Pharmacovigilance

The workshop commenced with a presentation by Pharm. Ibrahim Mohammed Amidu, Head of Pharmacy at the DHQ Medical Center, a consultant pharmacovigilance expert, and a member of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP) Students Group Coordinating Committee. His session introduced participants to the concept, scope, and historical evolution of pharmacovigilance, emphasizing its relevance across the entire lifecycle of medicines.

Pharm. Amidu explained that pharmacovigilance extends far beyond post-marketing surveillance, encompassing preclinical development, clinical use, and long-term safety monitoring. He also highlighted national and global pharmacovigilance structures, the importance of ADR reporting, and emerging career opportunities within the field, particularly in research, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical safety systems.

“Pharmacovigilance is not an afterthought in drug development; it is a continuous responsibility aimed at protecting patients and strengthening healthcare systems.”
A section of participants during the workshop 

Regulatory Perspective from NAFDAC

The second session was delivered by Mrs. Alice Attarbo, Assistant Director at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacovigilance Focal Person for Kano State. Her presentation focused on pharmacovigilance practice in Nigeria, providing participants with a clear understanding of the regulatory and legal frameworks guiding drug safety monitoring.

Mrs. Attarbo outlined the structure of Nigeria’s National Pharmacovigilance System and explained what constitutes reportable adverse drug reactions, medication errors, lack of efficacy, and adverse events following immunization (AEFI). She also guided participants through reporting methods, including voluntary reporting by healthcare professionals, mandatory reporting by manufacturers, and the use of digital platforms such as the Med Safety App.


Participants with their certificates at the end of the workshop 

Impact and Participants’ Reflections

Commenting on the workshop, the Academic Director of PANS-BUK, Makiyyu Ibrahim Sanka, described the event as a successful academic initiative that met its objectives. He noted that the program equipped participants with practical insights into medication safety, rational use of medicines, and patient-centered care—principles that are central to improving healthcare outcomes.

Participants also expressed positive feedback. One attendee, Ibrahim Sani, stated that the workshop broadened his understanding of pharmacovigilance beyond his previous perception of it as solely a post-marketing activity. Another participant, Abubakar Basiru, emphasized the role of pharmacovigilance in preventing adverse drug reactions, citing historical drug safety failures such as the thalidomide tragedy.

Overall, the workshop underscored PANS-BUK’s commitment to academic development and professional capacity building. It highlighted the critical role of pharmacists and pharmacy students in promoting medication safety and contributing to a safer and more effective healthcare system in Nigeria.

About the Author

This article was written by the RxRelated Editorial Team, a publication committed to delivering accurate, insightful, and student-focused coverage of developments in pharmacy education, practice, and pharmaceutical policy.