Introduction: Pakistan’s ambitious pharmacovigilance authorities made the most of the recent #MedSafetyWeek, leveraging that campaign to successfully launch the Med Safety App in the country.

The third issue provides updates on recent developments to increase the use of branding and security of the platform.

The newsletter contains an overview of exciting developments:
• WEB-RADR 2 project AbbVie app pilot
• Adoption of the coronavirus (COVID-19) reporting form
• Customisable email acknowledgments
• Improved branding on PDFs and emails
• COVID-19 coding
• Tailoring ADR report World Wide Reference Number

Through collaboration between the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the World Health Organization (WHO), Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) and National Regulatory Authorities, the Med Safety App has been adopted by countries across the globe. Since the second newsletter, the Med Safety App has been officially launched in Nigeria and Pakistan during the Med Safety Week campaign, 2-6 November.

The second issue provides updates on recent developments to improve the stability of the mobile applications (apps) and enhance user experience. It contains information about recent publications and the updated WEB-RADR website which holds information about the Med Safety App platform and stand-alone apps (Yellow Card, HALMED, UAE RADR).

Through collaboration between the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the World Health Organization (WHO), Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) – WHO Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring, and National Regulatory Authorities, the Med Safety App has been adopted by countries across the globe. Since the first newsletter (September 2019), App development has been supported in:
• Ethiopia
• Botswana
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Uganda
• DRC
• Kyrgyzstan
• Pakistan
• Nigeria

Technical updates described in the newsletter include:
• Report configuration (RC)
• E2B ICH R3
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) reporting
• Vigilance Hub
• Vigilance Hub training materials
• Med Safety introductory video
• Article published in WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter
• Article published in Uppsala Reports

• Webinar 1: WEB-RADR 2 technology and innovation on 22 June 2020 at 14:00-15:00 UK
• Webinar 2: WEB-RADR 2 terminology mappings on 24 June 2020 at 16:00 – 17:00 UK
• Webinar 3: WEB-RADR 2 future opportunities and sustainability on 29 June 2020 at 14:00 – 15:00 UK

Please register your interest in attending the webinars on Eventbrite. Registration closes on Friday 19 June 2020.

Further details about the event, including the link to register can be found on the events page.

Keep up-to-date on Twitter by following @WEBRADR and using the hashtag #WEBRADR2020. Further details will be published on this page.

Introduction: Reporting of adverse events is a mainstay of pharmacovigilance, and an ongoing challenge for the field is how to ensure more reports of higher quality to provide more comprehensive information. A simple app is now being deployed internationally to boost both the quantity and quality of reporting.

Following discussion at the WEB-RADR 2 Steering Group and with the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the WEB-RADR 2 Stakeholder Event, due to take place on 26 March 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents many logistical challenges which we had looked to mitigate through hosting the event online. However, it is clear that with the likelihood of increasing levels of business continuity impacting individuals roles, as well as absence and childcare/ family needs hosting an all-day event at the immediate time would not be appropriate.

We are working with IMI to establish a way forward to most appropriately disseminate information about the project over the coming months with a view to holding stakeholder focused webinars during that period which can then be made available for download. We will be in contact with further information as soon as possible.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and email: WEB-RADR@mhra.gov.uk.

For further information about the launch, materials disseminated, and the launch event, please see the Med Safety Apps Launch events page.

The one-day Stakeholder Event will showcase WEB-RADR 2 Work Package outputs, promote project sustainability, and display the fantastic collaborative work achieved over the 18-month exploitation project.

Further details about the event, including the link to register can be found on the events page.

The article contains information about the Med Safety App development, downloads and usage, recent launches, and international collaborative efforts.

Please click here for the full newsletter: WHO Pharmaceuticals Newsletter – No. 6, 2019.

The presentations and webinar recording can be found online here: https://www.meddra.org/snomed-meddra-mapping