Social media can offer opportunities in pharmacovigilance by providing interactive platforms as well as access to large and real-time datasets, although it should be acknowledged that WEB-RADR (Web-Recognising Adverse Drug Reactions) results indicate limited value in detecting signals.

A key challenge is obtaining clarity on the regulatory requirements that arise in using social media such as the processing and reporting of safety information.

Principles for the use of social media in pharmacovigilance are put forward that take into account existing legal requirements and the need to provide continuous monitoring of the safety of medicines.