A scientific model to support excellence in pharmacovigilance has been developed from first principles by brainstorming sessions and discussions with experts in the field. The model represents a long-term vision of how pharmacovigilance could be conducted in the future. So far it has been developed without any consideration of constraints such as resources or the need for legislative change. Although the vision is holistic, it would be possible to test and implement parts of the model in a piecemeal fashion.