VigiCarib

VigiCarib network is a mechanism that supports the monitoring of safety and quality of pharmaceuticals in CARICOM and other CARPHA Member States. This regional approach allows us to share information about medicines, vaccines and other medical products that may cause unexpected or serious harm to users, or that may fail to work. Through cooperation and coordination of activities, we can help strengthen systems of pharmacovigilance in our region.

Supporting Global Vigilance and Post Market Surveillance

The VigiCarib network facilitates the submission of reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs), adverse events following immunization (AEFIs), and reports of quality issues affecting medical products, where they may be substandard / falsified / unregistered) on behalf of Member States to international monitoring systems. These include reporting to the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring at the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, and to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System. This assists Member States with limited human resources to contribute to global vigilance, and to receive information on international and regional trends in reporting.

Reporting Adverse Events and Quality Issues

Who can report?

• Health professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists)
• Patients or their caregivers – we encourage these persons to seek assistance or care from a health professional and ask their doctor or pharmacist to report it.
• Officers or representatives from pharmaceutical companies

What can I report?

• Serious or unexpected reactions to a medicine or vaccine
• Non-serious reactions where multiple people have the same reaction
• For adverse reactions: name of medicine, reaction, patient identifier (initials or alias or name), reporter name and contact, country
• A quality defect of a medicine or vaccine (e.g. discoloration, disintegrating product, strange smell, particles, lack of effect)
• For quality issues: defect, name of medicine, lot or batch number, expiry date, manufacturer name (see label), country, reporter contact information. Photos of the product and its label are encouraged.

How to report?

• The CRS VigiCarib system has a secure web application where reporters will need to register to submit case reports for any of the CARPHA Member States: CARPHA DHIS-2 . Contact the CRS team for guidance at vigicarib@carpha.org.
• Or you may submit reports directly to those countries with online reporting forms in the menu provided.

What happens next?

• Reports to VigiCarib are sent to the respective country office
• The country office will follow up with the reporter to verify the report
• According to the country’s protocols, an investigation may be initiated.
• Where a problem is confirmed, the ministry of health will decide on the action to be taken to protect the public from harm.

Note: The Caribbean Public Health Agency is committed to protecting your privacy and developing technology that gives you the most powerful and safe online experience. Information collected is subject to CARPHA's privacy policy at: https://carpha.org/Privacy.

If you have any questions about reporting to CRS VigiCarib, you may email us at vigicarib@carpha.org.

VigiCarib News and Guidance

• VigiCarib News June 2024
• CARPHA CRS DHIS-2 User Manual
• Uppsala Report featuring Vigicarib Newsletter
• VigiCarib General Guide for Reporting Adverse Events
• CARPHA COVID-19 Health Rounds video: Basics of COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Evaluation