Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases in populations. Epidemics is the study of chronic/ infectious diseases in large populations. Pharmacoepidemiology is the application of the principles of epidemiology to drug effects and drug use. Hence, Pharmacoepidemiology is the study of the use of and the effects of drugs in larger population. It involves the examination of a single individual or large groups of people followed for many years. It involves gathering & analysis of information in order to identify possible causation & related factors,that can be applied in clinical practice to group of people & also to individuals undergoing treatment.
This topic describes: Origin & evolution, Need of pharmacoepidemiology, Aims of pharmacoepidemiology, Applications of pharmacoepidemiology.