WHO Global Pharmacovigilance System: 2025 Operations
By Dr. Susan Miller, PharmD
Updated: April 8, 2025
2.4M adverse event reports processed monthly by WHO’s VigiBase in 2025
How WHO’s Pharmacovigilance Network Operates
The World Health Organization’s global drug safety system comprises three core components:
1. National Centers
154 member countries submit standardized reports through:
- ICSR forms
- HL7 FHIR APIs
- VigiFlow web portal
2. Uppsala Monitoring Centre
Central hub for:
- AI signal detection
- Risk pattern analysis
- Global alert dissemination
VigiBase AI Upgrades (2024-2025)
WHO’s core database now features:
- Multilingual NLP processing 142 languages
- Predictive analytics for emerging risks
- Automated signal scoring (87% accuracy)
Global Collaboration Framework
The system’s effectiveness stems from:
| Component | 2025 Capability |
|---|---|
| Data Standardization | WHO-UMC ICSR v3.2 |
| Analysis Speed | 93% faster than 2020 |
| Member Participation | 154 countries (97% global coverage) |
2024 Malaria Vaccine Alert
Situation: Dispersed neurological event reports across 3 continents
WHO Action: Connected cases within 11 days via VigiBase pattern recognition
Outcome: Updated guidelines preventing ~4,200 adverse events