After more than two decades in the drug safety industry, I have a confession: I still have a deep, personal apprehension about using the abbreviation ‘PV’ to denote Pharmacovigilance.

It’s a two-letter identity crisis, and for many of us with a clinical background, it’s a source of genuine, albeit humorous, confusion. Here is the history behind my reluctance—a tale of medical school, solar power, and one very awkward corporate meeting.

Chapter 1: The Medical School Multiplicity

When I first encountered ‘PV’ in medical school, it certainly wasn’t about drug safety.

First, in my physiology classes, I was taught it stood for Polycythemia Vera—a chronic, blood-thickening condition. Coincidentally, this was also the era when the solar industry was booming, bringing with it the technical term Photovoltaic Cells (PV). Already, the term was split between a serious hematological disorder and renewable energy. Passenger Vehicle (PV) is another term that exists!

But that initial confusion was short-lived.

My true allegiance was forged during my clinical rotations in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I was taught by a professor—backed by every senior I knew (and in medical school, seniors are gospel)—that in the entire medical field, ‘PV’ refers to only one thing: Per Vaginum. For the next five years, I was completely comfortable referring to that one, definitive, anatomically specific term.

Chapter 2: The Corporate Conundrum

The greatest culture shock was transitioning into the Pharmacovigilance industry.

Suddenly, all my colleagues—especially those from non-medical backgrounds—were casually dropping ‘PV’ everywhere. I watched my physician peers slowly surrender to the abbreviation, yet I continued to cringe, unable to shake the five years of conditioning.

Then came the climax of my PV embarrassment.

In a previous company, our CMD (Chairman and Managing Director) was addressing the entire workforce. “I am pleased with the great work done by the PV Team,” he announced. I sat up, thrilled and ready to blush with pride—my team, finally getting high-level recognition!

My smile was only short-lived. My manager quickly clarified that the company was referring to the Process Validation (PV) activity, which is attributed to cGMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).

Wait… So now it’s not Polycythemia Vera, or Per Vaginum, or Pharmacovigilance. It’s a Quality Assurance concept.

The Case for PHV and PCV

It has been over 18 years, and I still hesitate. I prefer to use PHV (a classic abbreviation) or PCV (sometimes used for Pharmaco- and Cosmo-vigilance) or, better yet, just go the extra mile and pronounce the whole word.

Why risk the ambiguity?

• Do I want an important communication to be confused with a clinical exam?
• Do I want a new employee to think the “PV team” is responsible for validating manufacturing processes?

The reality is, the battle is often lost to space constraints, acronym standards, and two-letter department codes. But rest assured, I have no regrets in holding onto my preferred abbreviations.

If you’ve ever had a similar moment of confusion, you’re not alone. Let’s bring back PHV! (Unless you’re talking about blood disorders, automobiles. or solar panels, of course).