aWindhoek: The International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP) Africa Chapter meeting officially commenced in Windhoek, welcoming over 260 delegates from across the continent. This marks the inaugural occasion of Namibia hosting the ISoP Africa Chapter meeting, which is themed 'Patient Safety First: Strengthening Continental Pharmacovigilance Collaboration through the African Medicines Agency.'

According to Namibia Press Agency, Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Penda Ithindi, delivered the keynote address, expressing Namibia's honor in hosting the annual meeting. Ithindi noted that Namibia's selection as host reflects a strong confidence in the nation's healthcare and regulatory systems. He highlighted the privilege of hosting a gathering of experts, practitioners, policymakers, regulators, researchers, and healthcare professionals in Namibia's capital city.

Ithindi also extended gratitude to partners, including the World Health Organisation, along with regional bodies, academic institutions, and civil society organizations that have contributed to strengthening Namibia's pharmacovigilance landscape over the years. WHO representative Richard Banda praised the Namibian government for successfully hosting the meeting, emphasizing Namibia's role in advancing medicine safety, regulatory strengthening, and patient safety.

Banda identified three key priority areas for enhancing patient safety and regulatory systems across Africa: enhancing national pharmacovigilance systems, investing in people and institutions, and fostering collaboration and harmonization across the continent. He stressed the importance of skilled professionals, strong institutions, training, mentorship, and professional networks, especially for supporting young pharmacovigilance professionals.

Pharmacovigilance, the science and activities related to detecting, assessing, understanding, and preventing adverse effects or other drug-related problems throughout a medicine's lifecycle, remains a critical focus of the meeting.