title: [Pharmacovigilance: a necessary tool].
abstract: This paper discusses the potential benefits of pharmacovigilance in promoting rational drug use and the implementation of drug policies, especially drug regulation, based on the WHO International Drug Monitoring Program. The initial development of pharmacovigilance in Brazil is presented and the need for a national pharmacovigilance system is stressed.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Prevenção ao Uso Indevido de Medicamentos (GPUIM), Universidade Federal do Ceará, Rua Fausto Cabral 1188, Fortaleza, CE 60155410, Brasil. lutescia@ufc.br
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Coêlho
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D014944:World Health Organization