Abstract

PHARMACOVIGILANCE OF HERBAL AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINES: IMPORTANCE, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

*Nisarga H. L.

ABSTRACT

Herbal and traditional medicines are commonly used globallyfor health care. However, the safety and efficacy of theseproducts are often not well established, leading to potentialadverse drug reactions (ADRs). Pharmacovigilance of herbalmedicines is essential to monitor, assess, and prevent suchADRs. This review highlights the importance of herbalpharmacovigilance, current programs and systems includingWHO guidelines and the Pharmacovigilance Programme ofIndia (PvPI), challenges such as under-reporting and lack ofstandardization, and future perspectives involving digitalreporting and integration with healthcare systems.Strengthening herbal pharmacovigilance can ensure safer use oftraditional medicines and improve public health outcomes.

Keywords: Herbal medicines, Pharmacovigilance, Adverse drug reactions, Traditional medicine, Safety monitoring.