Father Muller ADR Monitoring Centre Secures Second Place in India
Mangaluru: The Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Monitoring Centre, Department of Pharmacology, Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru, has secured the second position among more than 1,000 ADR Monitoring Centres across India under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), coordinated by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, National Coordination Centre, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The centre was adjudged the second-best performing ADR Monitoring Centre in the Pharmacovigilance Associate category for 2025–26, based on the number of adverse drug reactions reported and community sensitisation activities carried out during the 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week, held from September 17 to 23, 2026.
As part of the awareness campaign, sensitisation programmes on adverse drug reactions and the importance of reporting them were conducted for patients and members of the public at primary and community health centres, Namma Clinic in Malavoor, the Urban Primary Health Centre in Jeppu, Father Muller Urban Health Training Centre at Jyothinagar, Father Muller Salvadore Monteiro Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) in Bajpe, health sub-centres at Ammunje and Ammemar in Thumbay, and Karambar School in Malavoor.
Dr. Chandralekha N. conducted the programmes using pamphlets and banners, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology and ADR Monitoring Centre Coordinator; Dr. Keerthana Melanta, Junior Pharmacovigilance Associate; postgraduate students Dr. Sharmi, Dr. Amith, Dr. Laalithya, Dr. Sidharth, Dr. Ashok, Dr. Annie and Dr. Shreya; and doctors and interns posted at the respective centres.
A Drug Allergy Card was released by Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, on September 30. The initiative, introduced as part of the 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week, is aimed at preventing inadvertent re-exposure to offending or related drugs, thereby reducing the risk of adverse drug reactions and promoting medication and patient safety.
The release ceremony and prize distribution were attended by Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo; chief guest Dr. Rajendra Holla, Professor, Department of Pharmacology, K. S. Hegde Medical Academy, Mangaluru; Dr. Padmaja Udaykumar, Professor and Medication Safety Officer, Department of Pharmacology; Dr. Chandralekha N., Dr. Scandashree S., Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology; and Dr. Keerthana Melanta, Junior Pharmacovigilance Associate.
Dr. Padmaja Udaykumar served as Organising Chairperson, Dr. Chandralekha N. as Organising Secretary, and Dr. Keerthana Melanta as Joint Organising Secretary for the National Pharmacovigilance Week activities. Dr. Akshatha Rao Aroor, Professor, Department of Medicine, is the Deputy Coordinator of the ADR Monitoring Centre.
Other activities
As part of National Pharmacovigilance Week 2026, a Digital Poster Competition was conducted in two categories.
Under the theme “Pharmacovigilance of Drugs Affecting the Liver and Kidney: What, How and Where to Report”, Ms. Yashitha M. P., Pharm D intern, Karavali College of Pharmacy, Mangaluru, won the English poster category, while Ms. Lona Rheshal Gama, Pharm D intern, Karavali College of Pharmacy, Mangaluru, won the Kannada poster category.
In the open category for faculty and students of medicine, allied health sciences, physiotherapy, nursing and pharmacy, as well as the hospital’s teaching and non-teaching staff, Dr. Jenita Veigas, Physician Assistant, Department of General Medicine, FMHT, won the first prize. Dr. Shiji P. J., Professor, Department of Community Nursing, FMCON, secured the second prize.
The Proactive Pharmacovigilance Award for reporting the highest number of adverse drug reactions was won by Ms. Sana Roshan, Pharm D intern, Karavali College of Pharmacy, Mangaluru. Ms. Valentina P. Gonsalves, Pharm D intern, was the runner-up.
The Drug Allergy Card release and prize distribution ceremony were held on September 30 during the inaugural session of the CME, “Beyond Scales and Sugars: Advances in Metabolic Pharmacotherapy.”
The ADR Monitoring Centre Coordinator thanked the Pharm D interns, doctors and nurses of the hospital, and members of the Pharmacovigilance Committee for their support in reporting adverse drug reactions. Special appreciation was expressed to Dr Padmaja Udaykumar, Professor and Medication Safety Officer, for her contribution and leadership in the achievement.
Faculty members, postgraduate students from the Department of Pharmacology, members of the Pharmacovigilance Committee, heads of departments, other postgraduate students, and delegates from Father Muller Medical College and neighbouring medical colleges attended the event.