Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology Research Unit, Department Neurofarba, University of Florence

Established within the NEUROFARBA Department, the Unit promotes research, education and innovation in drug, vaccine and natural product safety, focusing on the benefit/risk profile of pharmacological treatments through pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology.

Research areas include: mechanisms underlying ADRs; drug safety in vulnerable groups (children, older adults, pregnant/breastfeeding women); safety monitoring in clinical trials; effectiveness and safety of natural products (herbal medicines and food supplements); prescribing appropriateness; drug utilisation studies; digital tools for pharmacovigilance data management; and teaching/training activities.

Key collaborations that integrate clinical research, data management and technological innovation in a single framework:
- Centro Regionale di Farmacovigilanza della Toscana (CRFVT): the Unit is the regional Second-Level Pharmacovigilance Centre (Prof. Vannacci, University Representative), coordinating AIFA-funded pharmacovigilance projects and training activities
- Perinatal Research Laboratory (PeaRL): joint research on perinatal health, focusing on drug utilisation and prescribing appropriateness in pregnancy/breastfeeding
- Agenzia regionale di sanità della Toscana (ARS Toscana): epidemiological and drug utilisation research on regional health data
- Division of Clinic Toxicology, AOU Careggi: observational studies on antidotal treatments, addiction and drug safety in pregnancy.