Pharmacovigilance is defined as the identification, assessment, and prevention of adverse effects and other problems related to medicines in current clinical use. This introductory guide for those new to drug safety departments and for students in pharmaceutical medicine sets out key principles of pharmacovigilance. It reviews how the field developed, explains basic concepts, looks at types and sources of data, and outlines the process of pharmacovigilance. Coverage encompasses regulatory aspects, international collaboration, and ethical and societal considerations. The guide includes an annotated list of books, journals, and web sites, along with contact information for courses and international societies. A glossary is also provided. Waller is a consultant in pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology in the UK. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)