Strengthening active drug safety monitoring and management (aDSM) for DR-TB programs: Building and strengthening aDSM systems

The introduction of new medicines and shorter treatment regimens for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) has transformed patient care, but it has also increased the need for effective active drug safety monitoring and management (aDSM). How can countries strengthen pharmacovigilance systems, improve adverse event monitoring, and ensure patients receive safe, high-quality care?

aDSM has been a core intervention area of the Unidaid-funded ASCENT DR-TB project focused on:

• strengthening healthcare worker capacity,
• supporting implementation of new drugs and regimen (e.g. BPaL/M regimens),
• improving adverse event detection and reporting,
• mentoring staff,
• strengthening pharmacovigilance systems, and
• integrating community engagement.

KNCV invites you to join this ASCENT DR-TB webinar to explore practical experiences, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to building and strengthening aDSM systems in DR-TB programmes. Through real-world examples from Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Nigeria, speakers will share how health systems, pharmacovigilance units, community organizations, and civil society partners have worked together to strengthen adverse event detection, reporting, and management while supporting the rollout of new DR-TB treatment regimens. The webinar will also highlight the critical role of community engagement in ensuring safer, more person-centred DR-TB care.

Whether you are involved in TB programming, clinical care, pharmacovigilance, community engagement, or health systems strengthening, this session offers valuable insights and practical solutions that can be adapted to your own context.

Webinar: Strengthening active drug safety monitoring and management (aDSM) for DR-TB programs: Building and strengthening aDSM systems

Date:

07 of October, 2026

Time:

12:00 - 14:00 CET (Amsterdam time)

Who is this for?

• National TB Programme staff
• Clinicians
• Nurses
• Pharmacists
• Laboratory personnel
• Pharmacovigilance officers
• Implementing partners
• Community representatives, and
• Anyone interested in strengthening safe and effective DR-TB treatment programmes.

What will you learn?

By participating in this webinar, you will:

• Understand the role of aDSM in the introduction and implementation of new DR-TB drugs and treatment regimens.
• Gain practical insights into adverse event detection, grading, management, documentation, and reporting.
• Learn how to strengthen collaboration between TB programmes and pharmacovigilance systems.
• Explore country experiences from Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Nigeria on building sustainable aDSM systems and strengthening healthcare worker capacity.
• Discover how community-based organizations and civil society can contribute to effective safety monitoring and pharmacovigilance.
• Exchange ideas and discuss practical challenges and opportunities with global experts and peers working in DR-TB care and programming.