Introduction to Signal Detection in Pharmacovigilance

Signal detection and evaluation are the most important aspects of pharmacovigilance to generate the hypothesis regarding drug and adverse event which should be tested further. The signal can be detected using qualitative and quantitative methods. This chapter starts with introduction to signal followed by sources of signals and qualitative and quantitative methods. The various databases which are being used widely for the detection of signals are also discussed. Finally, the recent methodological developments and future perspectives are also briefly discussed.