Pharmacoepidemiology

Abstract

Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of the use of medicines in populations and their use as determinants of health. As such pharmacoepidemiological research is also subject to medicinal product risk communication and also provides methods for investigating the impact of communication-whether from official bodies, in the media or in healthcare-on the use of medicines and its health outcomes. The results of such evaluations constitute major evidence for planning and improving product information, communication components of risk minimisation measures and other actions of regulatory bodies and healthcare systems alike. As such pharmacoepidemiology has been called the fundamental science of medicines safety in patient care and is also seen as a corner stone of regulatory science and decision-making. This chapter reviews appropriateness and potential of pharmacoepidemiological research methods for the purpose of medicinal product risk communication research.