Pharmacists have consistently partnered with FDA on drug safety. Since pharmacists are the most accessible health care professional, they play a key role in educating and discussing FDA's drug safety messages with patients. Moreover, pharmacists are the main reporters of adverse events, incidents of product quality problems, errors in use, and therapeutic failures or inequivalence to FDA's MedWatch program.
Now, the Internet, social media, and emerging technologies allow FDA to be more transparent and to communicate directly with pharmacists, healthcare professionals and patients in real time. It's essential for pharmacists to stay informed of the latest drug safety information and FDA's new social media tools make it easy.