STRENGTHENING PEDIATRIC PHARMACOVIGILANCE: A REVIEW OF BARRIERS AND ENABLERS IN ADVERSE DRUG REACTION REPORTING

Pediatric patients are uniquely susceptible to adverse drug reactions (ADRs), yet pharmacovigilance systems often fall short in capturing these events adequately. A key barrier is underreporting by healthcare professionals, driven by a complex interplay of educational, institutional, and perceptual factors. This review builds upon the central findings of the study “Adverse drug reaction reporting in paediatrics: understanding and contributing factors,” examining systemic challenges and integrating evidence from complementary literature to propose actionable strategies for enhancing ADR surveillance in children. We highlight educational gaps, reporting hesitancy, workflow constraints, and suggest innovations such as structured training, digital reporting platforms, and the use of validated tools to promote safer pediatric pharmacotherapy. Pediatric adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remain a serious but underappreciated public health issue. Drawing from seven global studies and contemporary advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), this review offers a unique synthesis of empirical data and future-oriented solutions.