Strengthening the Bolivian pharmacovigilance system: New surveillance strategies to improve care for Chagas disease and tuberculosis

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Sep 21;14(9):e0008370. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008370. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Chagas disease (CD) and tuberculosis (TB) are important health problems in Bolivia. Current treatments for both infections require a long period of time, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are frequent. This study aims to strengthen the Bolivian pharmacovigilance system, focusing on CD and TB. A situation analysis of pharmacovigilance in the Department of Cochabamba was performed. The use of a new local case report form (CRF) was implemented, together with the CRF established by the Unidad de Medicamentos y Tecnología en Salud (UNIMED), in several healthcare centers. Training and follow-up on drug safety monitoring and ADR reporting was provided to all health professionals involved in CD and TB treatment. A comparative analysis of the reported ADRs using the CRF provided by UNIMED, the new CRF proposal, and medical records, was also performed. Our results showed that out of all patients starting treatment for CD, 37.9% suffered ADRs according to the medical records, and 25.3% of them were classified as moderate/severe (MS). Only 47.4% of MS ADRs were reported to UNIMED. Regarding TB treatment, 9.9% of all patients suffered ADRs, 44% of them were classified as MS, and 75% of MS ADRs were reported to UNIMED. These findings show that the reinforcement of the Bolivian pharmacovigilance system is an ambitious project that should involve a long-term perspective and the engagement of national health workers and other stakeholders at all levels. Continuity and perseverance are essential to achieve a solid ADR reporting system, improving patient safety, drug efficacy and adherence to treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / organization & administration*
  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / statistics & numerical data
  • Bolivia
  • Chagas Disease / drug therapy*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / epidemiology
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Personnel / education
  • Humans
  • Pharmacovigilance*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy*

Grants and funding

This work received support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) through the research grant for and about development (2015-2016). The members of the ISGlobal, receive funds from the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants of Catalonia (AGAUR) and the Network Cooperative Research in Tropical Diseases (RICET) through the grants 2014 SGR 26 and RD16/0027/0004, respectively. MJP research is supported by the Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia (PERIS 2016-2010 SLT008/18/00132). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.