24/07/2026
MCA Wraps Up Nationwide Pharmacovigilance Sensitisation Campaign!
Today, Friday, 24 July 2026, marks the successful conclusion of The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) Nationwide Pharmacovigilance Sensitisation Campaign.
Launched on 22 June 2026, this month-long initiative aimed to build a culture of medicine safety across The Gambia.
The nationwide campaign closed out in the Western One Health Region with a high-impact engagements with nursing students at the American International University, West Africa.
This is aimed at developing the healthcare workers with the habit
of patient's safety.
For far too long, reporting side effects have been treated passively or even dismissed as standard treatment risks, therefore, MCA wishes to shift that paradigm to regular reporting of side effects in a timely manner.
During today's session, MCA Team took the AIUWA students through:
The foundations of Clinical Trials & Pharmacovigilance History;
Understanding why monitoring exists is because while medicines are designed to cure, every medicinal product carries a potential risk.
Mastering Reporting Protocols, as a
step-by-step demonstration on how to accurately complete Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) reporting forms
Integrating proactive risk reporting directly into routine clinical practices is vital to patients' safety.
Why Every Report Matters.
The data gathered from these ADR and AEFI forms directly feeds MCA's national database. Accurate, real-time reporting gives us a clear picture of medicines safety across The Gambia, enabling MCA to make evidence-based policy recommendations and can advise the Ministry of Health on public safety actions.
The AIUWA students expressed deep gratitude to the MCA for expanding their knowledge in Pharmacovigilance and pledged to act as frontline guardians of medicines safety in every health facility they serve.
"Reporting even the mildest side effect today prevents major health risks tomorrow."
Thank you to all healthcare workers, community leaders, students, and regional health teams across The Gambia who made this nationwide campaign a resounding success!
Together, we are building a safer healthcare system.
