Two students smile and listen attentively as another person speaks in front of them.

Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance (MSc)

Our one-year program provides a multidisciplinary foundation in drug safety, with specialized courses in pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacogenetics, epidemiology and law.

Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance (MSc)

Our one-year program provides a multidisciplinary foundation in drug safety, with specialized courses in pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacogenetics, epidemiology and law.

Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance (MSc)

Our one-year program provides a multidisciplinary foundation in drug safety, with specialized courses in pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacogenetics, epidemiology and law.

About the program

Apply now Admission requirements

Explore core concepts in drug safety and pharmacovigilance, including data science, research design, ethical standards, and the legal aspects of drug safety. Through tailored courses and seminars, a major research project, and practicum placements, you'll build vital skills in adverse drug event (ADE) assessment and be prepared for a career in the complex field of drug safety.

Program name: Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance
Degree level: MSc
Duration: 1 year
Application deadline: April 30 (International), June 1 (Domestic)
Contact: Olga Krougly okrougly@uwo.ca

MSc

1 years

Course-based

Full-time

International students

Practicum

Reasons to study

A faculty member stands in a laboratory, showcasing expertise in diverse scientific fields.

Expert faculty

Receive mentorship and training from faculty with diverse expertise in areas including pharmacology and toxicology, genetics, epidemiology and law

Students interact in a small group discussion in a campus study area.

Small class sizes

Get more out of the classroom with a small cohort of peers that will push you to your full potential

Students collaborate on interdisciplinary research, enhancing communication skills in a relaxed setting.

Graduate-level skills

Develop advanced communication skills in interdisciplinary research and collaboration

Learning & Research

Clinical Pharmacology

Understand the core principles of how drugs work in the human body using real-world clinical examples relevant to drug development, use, and safety.

Human Toxicology

Examine how drugs and chemicals cause harm in humans, including short- and long-term effects, adverse reactions, and approaches to poisoning management and safety.

Pharmacogenomics and Variability in Drug Response

Explore how genetic and non-genetic factors shape individual responses to medicines and influence drug development, clinical practice, and policy.

Adverse Events of Drug Use

Identify and manage drug-related adverse events across healthcare settings, with a focus on patient safety and risk mitigation.

Pharmacovigilance: Methods and Applications

Apply regulatory and scientific approaches to monitor medicine safety, manage risk, and support ethical decision-making across the drug lifecycle.

Legal Aspects of Drug Safety

Understand legal and regulatory frameworks governing drug safety, including liability, informed consent, and regulatory decision-making.

As a learner in the program you’re required to complete a major research project related to the field of drug safety. This selection of recent projects will give you an idea of the depth of inquiry and topics covered.

Gabapentin Toxicity in Overdose: An Independent Risk Assessment

Investigates whether gabapentin has inherent toxicity in overdose through retrospective analysis of coroner toxicity records.

Pregnancy as a Risk Factor for Drug-Induced Long QT Syndrome

Evaluates whether pregnancy increases susceptibility to drug-induced QT prolongation using coroner data and systematic review methods.

Drug Therapy and Oral Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Identifies drug-related safety signals affecting oral health, with attention to formulation-related adverse effects during long-term therapy.

Varenicline and Panic Attacks: Evidence from Clinical Trials and Pharmacovigilance Data

Evaluates the association between varenicline use and panic attacks using meta-analysis of randomized trials and disproportionality analysis.

Hair Cortisol as a Biomarker of Drug-Related Stress (Wet Lab)

Explores hair cortisol as a long-term biomarker to assess stress-related adverse effects of drug therapy.

Comparative Safety of Carbamazepine and Levetiracetam in Childhood Epilepsy

Assesses differences in adverse drug effects between carbamazepine and levetiracetam through meta-analysis of paediatric epilepsy studies.

Application requirements

Learn more

Requirements

A four-year undergraduate degree in a health-related field (from an accredited Canadian university or equivalent).
A minimum average of B+ (78% or higher) in the last 10 full courses or 20 half-courses completed (approximately two years of full-time study).
Successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a minimum grade of 75% (Canadian equivalency) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) completed within the last five years.

Documentation

Unofficial transcripts from post-secondary institution(s) (official/certified copies will also be required).
Proof of registration or licensure from a relevant regulatory organization (if applying as a health practitioner).
Professional résumé (maximum two pages).

English language proficiency

International applicants are eligible to apply. A strong level of English proficiency is required for all applicants.
Click here for full details

Apply now via Western's School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Apply now Application process

Plan your finances

Graduate student funding & fees explained

What it costs

Expenses usually include tuition, fees, housing, food and other necessities.

Find your tuition and fees in the fee schedules available through the Office of the Registrar.

Fee schedules

Support available

As a graduate learner, you may be eligible to receive financial support.

Graduate students who find themselves in financial need have access to a full range of bursary programs, loans and financial aid counselling at Western.

Learn more

Plan ahead

Managing your finances, time, and overall wellness are critical to your academic success.

Use the Graduate Student Affordability Calculator to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three-term) academic year.

Explore the calculator

Practicum

Below is a list of practicum placements recently completed by learners in the program

Pan-Canadian Pharmacogenomics Network, Vancouver, BC

Contribute to a national precision medicine initiative by supporting patient recruitment, data management, and sample collection to advance drug safety in rare diseases.

Complex Disease Service, Children’s Hospital, London ON

Support a multidisciplinary clinical team caring for patients with complex chronic disease by reviewing therapies, managing polypharmacy, and developing drug safety guidance.

Office of Clinical Pharmacology, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD

Evaluate emerging drug safety signals, support regulatory assessments, and contribute to scientific publications on potential safety concerns.

After graduatuon

Graduates of this programs can pursue professional school, doctoral research and advanced training, or careers as:

Health-care professionals
Scientists in the pharmaceutical industry
Drug safety officers in regulatory authorities
Health-care policy makers
Research administrators in the public or private sector

Have questions? Connect with us!

Contact our graduate administrator for more information or get your questions answered.

Olga Krougly

Graduate Administrator
okrougly@uwo.ca

Email Olga

Your life at Western

Campus life

Connect, explore, and thrive on our close-knit campus.

Learn more

Campus tours

Campus tours are available for anyone interested in attending Western.

Book a tour

About London, Ontario

Discover all that Western and London have to offer.

Learn more