What type of problems does pharmacovigilance monitor?

Pharmacovigilance primarily focuses on the monitoring of adverse effects or drug-related problems that may arise after a medication has been approved and is in use by the general population. The goal of pharmacovigilance is to identify, assess, understand, and prevent adverse effects or any other medication-related issues that could pose risks to patients’ health. This is crucial for ensuring drug safety and efficacy over time, allowing for prompt actions to be taken, such as updating guidelines, issuing warnings, or pulling a drug from the market if necessary.

The other choices reference aspects of pharmacology that are vital but fall outside the core focus of pharmacovigilance. While drug interactions and drug efficacy are essential concerns in medication management and use, they do not encompass the broader task of monitoring adverse effects, which is the hallmark of pharmacovigilance. Legal issues surrounding medications are also important but are typically not the primary focus of pharmacovigilance activities, which specifically target patient safety through the evaluation of drug-related adverse experiences.