Emerging Frontiers in Pharmacovigilance: Harnessing Digital Innovations and AI for Enhanced Drug Safety Monitoring in Modern and Traditional Medicine

Abstract

Pharmacovigilance, the science of detecting, assessing, understanding, and preventing adverse drug reactions (ADRs), has evolved significantly since its formal inception following the thalidomide tragedy. This review examines the historical progression of pharmacovigilance, highlighting the limitations of traditional methods and the paradigm shifts driven by technological advancements. It explores the transformative role of digital technologies, including big data analytics, social media integration, and mobile health (mHealth) applications, in enhancing drug safety monitoring. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in signal detection, natural language processing (NLP), and the development of AI-enabled pharmacovigilance platforms are critically assessed, emphasizing their potential to improve the speed and accuracy of ADR identification. Furthermore, this review addresses the unique challenges and strategies for pharmacovigilance in traditional medicine, where safety profiles are often underreported. It investigates the importance of integrating digital and AI-driven tools to monitor traditional remedies, including the use of blockchain for supply chain transparency. Finally, the review discusses current regulatory frameworks and the importance of global collaboration in establishing standardized pharmacovigilance practices. By synthesizing historical perspectives with emerging digital innovations, this paper underscores the importance of a comprehensive, inclusive approach to drug safety monitoring, aimed at optimizing patient outcomes and reinforcing public trust in both modern and traditional medicinal products.