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Medicine Safety - A Conversation

Gretchen S. Dieck, Ph. D. is head of Pfizer's Medicine Safety unit. Dr. Dieck answers a series of questions about the science and practice of medicine safety in this video conversation.

Click on a question below to see a video of Dr. Dieck's response.

• What is an adverse event?
• Why is adverse reporting so important?
• How is it that we sometimes hear about new side effect or risks after a medication is approved by regulators?
• How do companies and regulators assess benefit and risk of a medication?
• Does Pfizer continually monitor safety for older and new medications?
• What should patients do if they think they are experiencing a side effect from a medicine?
• What is a safety signal?
• What is the difference between a controlled clinical trial and an observational study?
• What do companies do both before and after a medication is approved to make sure doctors and patients are aware of potential risks?
• How do companies measure the scientific validity of an adverse event?
• The FDA now requires a risk management plan for all new prescription medicines. What is a risk management plan?
• What can people do to ensure proper use of medicine?
• Are adverse events under-reported?
• How seriously involved are regulators in the ongoing safety monitoring of Pfizer medicines?
• What does it mean for patients when they hear about adverse events after a medicine has been approved?