Zahrawi (2025)

18/08/2025

Week 7 – Grand Finale Session! ✨

Our Bootcamp journey concluded with a truly insightful and powerful final session by Dr. Syed Rizwan Ahmed.

This closing session on MedDRA and Safety Databases was nothing short of remarkable an eye-opening learning curve where participants explored the real-world application of medical coding and safety systems.

Ending on such a high note, this last session perfectly wrapped up 7 weeks of extensive training, leaving our graduates empowered with knowledge to contribute actively to drug safety and regulatory excellence.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Rizwan for making the final stretch of our Bootcamp both memorable and impactful!

17/08/2025

Zahrawi announces the successful completion of the 30-Hour Certified Pharmacovigilance Bootcamp.

Across 7 weeks of structured learning and practical exposure, 42 participants; including students and healthcare professionals, completed over 30 hours of training in the field of drug safety.

This graduating batch of Certified Pharmacovigilance Specialists is now equipped to play an active role in enhancing pharmacovigilance practices and strengthening healthcare standards in Pakistan.

We extend our congratulations to the graduates and our appreciation to the trainers, speakers, and partners whose contributions made this program possible.

13/08/2025

We are proud to announce that Zahrawi’s 30-Hour Certified Pharmacovigilance Bootcamp is set to conclude on 16th August 2025 with a formal Graduation Ceremony.

Over the past several weeks, this advanced, industry-led program has brought together aspiring and practicing healthcare professionals to build specialized expertise in pharmacovigilance a discipline central to ensuring drug safety and regulatory excellence.

As we prepare to mark the culmination of this intensive learning journey, we celebrate the dedication of our participants and the invaluable guidance of our expert trainers who have made this program a benchmark in applied pharmacovigilance education.

A heartfelt thank you to all our distinguished speakers, our dedicated sponsors Searle, DVAGO, and Herbion Naturals and every individual whose efforts have made this journey possible.

11/08/2025

Week 7: Mastering MedDRA in Pharmacovigilance

This week, our Certified Pharmacovigilance Bootcamp moves into one of the most critical tools for drug safety — MedDRA (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities).

We are honored to have Dr. Syed Rizwan, Pharmacovigilance Country Head & Senior Medical Advisor at Bayer Pakistan, lead this session. With over 15 years of leadership in drug safety, clinical research, regulatory compliance, and PV system oversight, Dr. Rizwan has shaped national PV frameworks, led international safety collaborations, and advanced standards across Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the Maldives.

This session is made possible through the support of our partners: Searle (Academic Partner), DVAGO Pharmacy & Wellness Experts (Wellness Partner), and Herbion Naturals (Vitality Partner).

📅 Date: August 16, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:30 AM
📍 Venue: PDC Hall, Dow International Medical College, DUHS Ojha Campus

08/08/2025

Week 6 - Community Pharmacy in Pharmacovigilance Practice With Dr. Masood Ahmed Khan

When we talk about Pharmacovigilance, we often imagine large regulatory bodies or hospital setups but what about the first point of contact for most patients? The community pharmacy.

This Saturday, we take a deep dive into how Pharmacovigilance principles apply in community pharmacy practice, and how retail pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring patient safety, preventing ADRs, and contributing to national PV systems.

We’re honored to welcome Dr. Masood Ahmed Khan, a seasoned expert in retail pharmacy and operations currently leading at DVAGO Pharmacy with over a decade of experience across Aga Khan Hospital and Dow University.

This session is part of our ongoing 6-week intensive Bootcamp, curated to bring together academia and real-world pharmacovigilance practices, from hospitals to regulatory to community settings.

We’re uniting the community pharmacy sector with the science of drug safety because PV is not just paperwork; it’s about the person at the counter, the medicine in their hand, and the pharmacist who makes the call.

📅 Session Date: Saturday, 9th August 2025
🕘 Time: 09:30 AM
📍 Platform: Zoom

04/08/2025

Week 5 Recap: Hospital Pharmacy in Practice 💊🏥

From bedside protocols to national patient safety, Week 5 of our Pharmacovigilance Bootcamp was nothing short of transformative.

We had the privilege to explore the hospital side of pharmacovigilance, bridging the gap between not just academia and practice, but also between pharmaceutical and hospital sectors — a conversation long overdue.

✨ Ms. Sumaira Khan, Head of Pharmacy at Tabba Heart Institute, shared invaluable insights of pharmacy leadership, and the real-time systems that protect patients every single day. Her session highlighted the ground realities and evolving responsibilities of pharmacists in the clinical ecosystem.

✨ Dr. Areeba Nayab, Clinical Pharmacist, guided us through the essentials of pharmacovigilance within hospital settings — reminding us why PV isn’t just a regulatory box, but a life-saving practice.

Despite a limited in-person audience, the impact was loud and lasting. These sessions served as a powerful reminder:
PV isn’t just about products, it’s about people and hospitals are where vigilance meets action.

Gratitude to our expert speakers and all those who continue to walk this journey with us.

A heartfelt thank you to our collaborating partners for supporting this movement in applied pharmaceutical education:
🔹 Dow University ORIC
🔹 The Searle Company Ltd.
🔹 Dvago – Wellness Partner
🔹 Herbion Naturals – Vitality Partner

Dow University of Health Sciences OfficialDVAGO The Searle Company LimitedHerbion Pakistan

31/07/2025

Hospital Pharmacy in Action — Zahrawi Week 5

This week, we stepped into the heartbeat of healthcare: Hospital Pharmacy — where every prescription, every protocol, and every pharmacist plays a direct role in saving lives.

We’re proud to feature two powerhouse clinical pharmacists from Tabba Heart Institute whose expertise is reshaping how pharmacy is practiced in hospital settings:

Dr. Sumaira Khan – Head of Pharmacy at Tabba Heart Institute and a visionary in patient safety. With a Master’s in Patient Safety, a CPHQ, and impactful programs like the one-window immunization initiative under her belt, she has redefined pharmacy leadership and quality care across the region.

Dr. Areeba Nayab – A certified clinical pharmacist specializing in infectious diseases, anticoagulation, and critical care. With experience from Aga Khan Hospital and international recognition including a presentation at the Qatar International Conference, she now leads antimicrobial stewardship at Tabba Heart Institute, shaping a safer, patient-centered clinical landscape.

📅 August 2nd, 2025

A heartfelt thank you to our collaborators for believing in the power of applied pharmaceutical education:
Dow ORIC | Searle | Dvago | Herbion Naturals

Together, we continue to bridge academia with industry, and passion with purpose.

30/07/2025

Week 4: Signal Detection & Risk Management | Zahrawi PV Bootcamp

This week, our participants explored one of the most critical and dynamic components of pharmacovigilance — Signal Detection & Risk Management.

We were honored to host Dr. Sarmad and Dr. Roha Khan, who brought unmatched depth and clarity to the session.

Dr. Sarmad delivered a powerful walkthrough on signal detection techniques, case studies, and materiovigilance — emphasizing the proactive role of vigilance systems in medical device safety. His practical approach helped participants grasp the real-world significance of early risk identification.

Dr. Roha Khan gave a sharp overview of Risk Management Plans (RMPs) and Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs), guiding students through their purpose, structure, and strategic importance in global drug safety protocols.

From clinical insights to regulatory expectations, this session was a masterclass in understanding how safety signals evolve and how risk is mitigated to protect patient health.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners who continue to support this mission of impactful learning:
Searle – Academic Partner
Herbion – Vitality Partner
Dvago – Wellness Partner
Dow University (ORIC) – Academic Collaborator

Together, we’re building future-ready PV professionals.

28/07/2025

Week 3 of Zahrawi’s Certified Pharmacovigilance Bootcamp brought an exceptional deep dive into ICSR (Individual Case Safety Reporting) with the highly experienced Dr. Ali Yasir Khanzada, General Manager, Medical Affairs & Pharmacovigilance.

His practical expertise and engaging delivery made complex reporting processes easier to grasp the participants didn’t just learn, they truly enjoyed the session!

We’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors DVAGO Pharmacy & Wellness Experts, Herbion & The SEARLE Company Ltd. for their continued support. Your contribution plays a vital role in strengthening Pakistan’s pharmacovigilance landscape.

Together, we’re fostering a culture of safety, reporting, and responsible healthcare. Stay tuned for more impactful sessions!

23/07/2025

WEEK 4 | Signal Detection & Risk Management

Your journey into advanced Pharmacovigilance continues!

As we step into Week 4 of Zahrawi’s Certified Pharmacovigilance Bootcamp, we unfold one of the most critical pillars of drug safety:

Signal Detection & Risk Management where science meets strategy to protect patient lives.

This week, we spotlight one of the most critical areas of pharmacovigilance how safety signals are detected and managed to ensure public health. From real-world data to regulatory strategies, this session bridges science with responsibility.

We’re honored to be guided by two outstanding professionals in the field:

Dr. Sarmad Iqbal
MPhil in Pharmacy Practice (Pharmaco-epidemiology) from the University of Karachi with 4+ years of hands-on experience in clinical research, pharmacovigilance, and medical affairs.
He has contributed to global initiatives such as:
▪ WHO-UMC Industry e-Reporting System
▪ WHODRUG & MedDRA Dictionary Integration
▪ International PV Projects with Real-World Impact

Dr. Roha Khan
Pharmacist | Certified Clinical Research Professional | Research Instructor
Currently serving as Assistant Manager – Medical Affairs at Herbion Pakistan, she brings 4+ years of experience across clinical research, scientific writing, and strategic medical affairs.

Proudly supported by:
🔹 SEARLE (Academic Partner)
🔹 DVAGO (Wellness Partner)
🔹 HERBION (Vitality Partner)
In collaboration with Dow Skill Development Centre & ORIC DUHS.

Pharmacovigilance isn’t just about compliance, it’s about proactive responsibility.

16/07/2025

Gearing Up for Week 3 of Zahrawi’s Certified Pharmacovigilance Bootcamp!

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Ali Yasir, General Manager Medical Affairs & Pharmacovigilance at The Searle Company Ltd., as our expert speaker for this week’s deep dive into ICSR (Individual Case Safety Reports) the cornerstone of global pharmacovigilance practices.

With 18+ years of experience across global CROs and pharmaceutical leaders like Parexel, ICON, and IQVIA, Dr. Yasir brings a rich blend of scientific insight and real-world expertise. His certifications from WHO, NIH, and Astranova make this an exceptional opportunity to learn directly from one of the field’s most respected voices.

Get ready to elevate your understanding of case processing, global safety standards, and regulatory expectations through a session that promises high-impact learning and practical transformation.

📅 Saturday, July 19, 2025
🕘 09:30 AM
📍 PDC Hall, Dow International Medical College, Ojha Campus

In collaboration with ORIC DUHS, DVAGO Pharmacy & Wellness Experts, The Searle Company Ltd., and Herbion Naturals.

15/07/2025

Diving Deeper into Drug Safety – Week 2 Highlights

Week 2 of the Zahrawi Pharmacovigilance Bootcamp brought critical discussions to the forefront as we explored Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) the very heart of pharmacovigilance.

Led by the highly insightful Dr. Ammar Masood, the session took a deep dive into the types, severity, and reporting mechanisms of ADRs. His expert guidance helped participants not only understand the science but also the real-world significance of timely detection and reporting in ensuring patient safety.

From global frameworks to local challenges, the conversation was both dynamic and deeply educational. With case studies, scenario-based discussions, and participant engagement, it was another Saturday of impactful learning where theory met practice.

This bootcamp continues to do what it promised:
Turn knowledge into action, and learners into leaders.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Ammar, our participants, and our collaborators ORIC-DUHS, The Searle Company Ltd., Herbion Naturals, and DVAGO Pharmacy & Wellness Experts for powering this transformation in the making.

DVAGO Dow University of Health Sciences Official The Searle Company Limited Herbion Pakistan

Zahrawi