Al-Baath University Hosts Seminar on Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance
The Faculty of Pharmacy at Al-Baath University in Homs, in collaboration with the Syrian Pharmacists Syndicate and the Homs Health Directorate, organized a specialized scientific event dedicated to drug safety and pharmacovigilance. The seminar was held as part of the activities accompanying the 2026 World Med Safety Week.
Hosted at the faculty’s seminar hall, the event aimed to emphasize the critical importance of reporting adverse drug reactions and side effects. A central theme of the discussions was enhancing the role of medical and pharmaceutical personnel in drug monitoring. The program featured scientific lectures and specialized discussions centered on developing robust pharmacovigilance systems. Participants specifically addressed the need to distinguish between expected drug side effects and medication errors resulting from misuse or incorrect prescribing.
Al-Baath University President, Tareq Hussam El-Din, stated that pharmacovigilance is a fundamental pillar of modern healthcare and responsible scientific research. He highlighted the university’s commitment to bridging academic curricula with practical application and fostering cooperation with Syrian unions and health institutions to ensure patient safety.
Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Sanaa Al-Ahdab, underscored that drug safety is a collective responsibility shared by physicians, pharmacists, and all healthcare staff. She noted that these initiatives are designed to equip pharmacy graduates with the professional skills necessary to manage risks associated with medication use and to raise professional and societal awareness regarding safe drug practices.
Alaa Ezz El-Din, a member of the Homs Pharmacists Syndicate council, detailed the vital role pharmacists play in auditing prescriptions to identify potential errors before medication reaches the patient. She also highlighted an electronic system provided by the Syrian Ministry of Health that allows for the reporting of adverse reactions or medication errors. This system enables regulatory authorities to study reports and take precautionary measures, which may include suspending the use of a specific drug or withdrawing it from circulation if a risk to public health is confirmed.
This event aligns with the annual World Med Safety Week campaign, in which the Syrian health sector participates as part of its ongoing international efforts to improve drug monitoring standards and ensure the highest levels of safety in the pharmaceutical services provided to citizens.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
