Enhancing Pharmacovigilance in Pharmaceutical Companies: A Comparative Study of Electronic Reporting Before and After Implementation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Since 2016, Moroccan pharmaceutical companies have been required to report adverse effects linked to their medicines. Initially, reports were submitted using the CIOMS form, sent by normal mail to le Centre Antipoison et de Pharmacovigilance du Maroc, then using XML files in ICH E2B format, sent electronically. In 2021, a "vigiflow e-reporting for industry" standardized online reporting system was implemented. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmaceutical companies' use of electronic reporting. Secondarily, the study aimed to assess the quality of adverse drug reaction reports by comparing completeness scores across the three reporting means. METHODS: All individual case safety reports sent by pharmaceutical companies from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023, were extracted from Vigibase®. A quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted, and a statistical comparison of data was performed using p-values. VigiGrade completeness score was calculated for a sample size selected. RESULTS: The highest number of reports were from E-reporting (50%), followed by CIOMS (29%) and E2B (21%). Between 2019 and 2021, CIOMS and E2B notifications decreased along with reporting laboratories. However, after 2021, electronic reporting increased steadily alongside reporting companies. Comparing vigiGrade completeness score across reporting means revealed no statistically significant differences (p = 0.094 > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electronic reporting shows quantitative effectiveness and consistent quality. Its adoption remains limited and requires continuous strengthening, particularly through increased awareness among pharmaceutical companies.