Research and collaborations

 

The aim of our research is to gain more insight into (un)known ADR’s of medicines and vaccines, and to recognize new ADR’s at an earlier stage. With cohort event monitoring and literature research we collect information about the course, risk factors, treatment and burden of ADR’s.

The Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb works together with the Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) and supports it in its statutory task in pharmacovigilance. Lareb informs the MEB about signal detection. When it comes to vaccines, Lareb also informs the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), and when it comes to health products, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). They can take appropriate measures if necessary. For example, adjusting the prescription, adapting who is allowed to use the medicine or receive the vaccine, or take a medicine off the market.

We also work in close contact with professional groups, patient associations and consumer organizations. Patients are important partners who can, as users of medication, provide us with valuable information about ADR’s. Professional groups are also important partners, because they monitor side effects in their patients. For both groups, knowledge about ADR’s is of tremendous importance to prevent, recognize and treat side effects.