Medication Errors Special Interest Group of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance and the Trends in International Collaboration for Patient Safety

Abstract

Errors accompanying the use of medicinal products pose a considerable economic as well as clinical burden. Fortu- nately, many medication errors are potentially preventable. They could be minimized or avoided through better design of medication safety systems with a focus on the ordering, prescription, preparation, and administration of medicines. The main purpose of the International Society of Phar- macovigilance (ISoP) is to promote the safer use of medi- cines through contributing to better and more education in pharmacovigilance (PV) and training activities worldwide. Therefore, ISoP members are regularly invited and encour- aged to be involved in a wide range of activities, either as individual experts or as representatives of their organizations [1]. In order to aid and optimize members’ involvement in prompting patient safety culture in their communities, it is essential that they receive adequate training that could con- tribute in their professional development. International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP) have strived to develop continuing good-quality educational programs internationally, including a mid-year training program, pre-conference courses during the annual meet- ings, and joint training courses with the World Health