Defining 'surveillance' in drug safety.

Journal article

The concept of surveillance in pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology has evolved from the concept of surveillance in epidemiology, particularly of infectious diseases. We have surveyed the etymology, usages, and previous definitions of 'surveillance' and its modifiers, such as 'active' and 'passive'. The following essential definitional features of surveillance emerge: (i) surveillance and monitoring are different--surveillance involves populations, while monitoring involves individuals;...

Expand abstract

Authors: Aronson, J; Hauben, M; Bate, A

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Drug safety
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 347-357
• Publication date: 2012-05-01
• DOI: 10.2165/11597590-000000000-00000
• EISSN: 1179-1942
• ISSN: 0114-5916
• Language: English
• Keywords: Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Pharmacovigilance; Pharmacoepidemiology