RxVigilance is updated monthly. Subscribers have two options when it comes to the updating process. They can opt to receive a CD by mail once a month or, they can configure their device to receive automatic updates via the web. Automatic updates via the web require no input whatsoever from the user. Since the software was designed to continuously track information on drugs and diseases, the updating process is integral to RxVigilance. Software that is not updated can jeopardize patient safety. For this reason, users who do not register for updates will see their software cease to work after a few months.

Yes. Whenever relevant information is published, it is added to RxVigilance, whether it is an injectable product, a natural product or an over the counter product.

Yes. Whenever relevant information is published about a drug, this drug is added to RxVigilance, along with its specific properties. If information on an investigational drug is published or if documented interactions, for example, are known, they will appear in our database.

No. We reference literature. If we see that there is an unofficial indication and dosage, we add it to our database. Products officially indicated for use in Canada are clearly identified.

Yes. Any allergy to nuts, seafood, dairy products, etc. can be entered. Consequently, any drug containing derivatives of these products will trigger the appropriate alert.

In theory, one would assume that there would be an interaction risk between two drugs that share the same cytochrome. In practice however, many products metabolized by the same pathways can be taken together without any problem. The availability of alternative pathways and the affinity of drugs for different pathways are determining factors for interactions.

We never report “potential” interactions based solely on a common cytochrome if the interaction has never been reported in a clinical context. There is a function in our analysis engine that can generate a report on the metabolic pathways taken by medications.

Any alert generated by RxVigilance is considered relevant and applies to practice here at home. Unlike other programs used in Canada and the United States, RxVigilance only displays real alerts that are directly connected to a patient profile; it never displays conditional alerts. That being said, deactivating certain alerts is generally unnecessary. Several configuration options however, can be used to tailor the advisor to suit the particular needs of an establishment.

Dose validation takes workplace into consideration. For some products, the accepted dose is higher in health care facilities than those typically used in a community setting.

Whenever possible, alternatives are suggested as part of the alert. In fact, there is a special function that allows users to search for drug alternatives in a specific profile. RxVigilance however, is a support tool designed to assist health care professionals and should never, under any circumstance, replace one’s professional judgement.

Doses are validated by taking the route of administration into consideration. Parenteral doses, as well as oral and other routes are therefore validated. Validation is carried out as a function of the patient’s age and weight (when relevant). We even validate neonatal doses when dosages specific to this population have been established in the literature.

No. RxVigilance is not designed to manage individual patient files. The advisor uses the data provided and generates its evaluation without saving the profile. To illustrate, RxVigilance is like a spell checker in a word processing software – it corrects the text without saving it.

RxVigilance takes drug allergies into consideration and issues alerts when these, or other related products that could trigger a cross-allergy are detected.

To prevent the unauthorized use of RxVigilance, users must enter an activation code to gain access to the system. The first time the application is launched, a code, specific to each workstation, is provided, while the activation code is provided by Vigilance Santé.

Reformatting your computer will change the initial code assigned to the workstation. Simply contact Vigilance Santé for a new activation key.

If the workstations are part of a network, one of the stations can act as a “server”. Each station can then be configured to update from the designated server. During the monthly updating process, the only workstation that requires updating is the “server” as the other workstation will automatically update themselves when RxVigilance is launched. Several tools are available to help network managers configure and manage RxVigilance updates.

RxVigilance can work in a Citrix or Terminal Server environment. In these cases, the number of users who can access the application is determined by the license that was purchased.

Yes. In fact, that is the ideal setup! The system can be configured in such a way that the software updates itself via the Internet. When launched, RxVigilance systematically checks to see whether a new version is available, downloads it and installs it, all without any input from the user.

Yes. But for it to be beneficial, we recommend that you have many workstations. Many large facilities choose this option. Simply contact Vigilance Santé for a quote.

RxVigilance is a tool that contains a tremendous amount of detailed information. Users are advised to spend a bit of time exploring and playing around with the various functions. A very detailed HELP section can be referred to as needed. Users also have access to self-training modules to help them familiarize themselves with the many components that make up RxVigilance. The program was designed to be both comprehensive and easy to use.

RxVigilance was designed to interface with other softwares such as prescribing and drug management systems, for example. There are fifteen or so computer system suppliers that interface with us. Once a software supplier initiates contact, we can explain how to interface with our product. Once set-up, the two programs can communicate with one another.

Although RxVigilance was designed to interface with other programs, it can be used on its own. It can also be used at the same time as another therapeutic advisor when RxVigilance cannot interface with the software in place. Users can access all the information available on RxVigilance with the exception of the automatic alerts. If you want to have a file analysed, you can do so through the profile analysis function.