ISLAMABAD, 15 NOV (DNA) — Concerned health authorities in the federal capital received 79 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions during October 2026, highlighting the importance of strengthening medicine safety monitoring and pharmacovigilance to protect public health.
According to the monthly report of the Pharmacovigilance Cell, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) reported the highest number of cases, with 25 suspected adverse drug reactions. The Islamabad Pharmacovigilance Centre recorded 19 reports, followed by Rawal General and Dental Hospital with 11 and the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital with seven cases.
Federal General Hospital, Chak Shahzad, reported five cases, while Ali Medical Centre, Kulsum International Hospital and Dr Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital reported three cases each. Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital reported two cases, while Advanced International Hospital recorded one suspected adverse drug reaction.
Adverse drug reactions may range from mild symptoms to serious health complications and can occur with prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs and other pharmaceutical products. Health experts stressed that patients should take medicines only on medical advice, follow prescribed doses and avoid self-medication.
They also advised patients not to discontinue prescribed treatment without consulting their doctors. Pharmacovigilance plays a vital role in identifying, assessing and preventing medicine-related risks, enabling regulatory authorities to monitor the safety of pharmaceutical products and take appropriate measures to protect patients. — DNA
