INOPP Forum
Pharmacovigilance requirements in Trinidad & Tobago
Quote from VigiServe Admin on February 8, 2026, 4:46 AMIn Trinidad and Tobago, Pharmacovigilance is regulated by the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division (CFDD) under the Ministry of Health. The system is basic and relies heavily on regional support from CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency) and the VigiCarib network.
1. Clinical Safety (Clinical Trials)
Clinical trials are rare in Trinidad and Tobago. When they occur, they require Ministry of Health approval and adherence to international ethical norms.
Expedited Reporting: Sponsors are expected to report Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reactions (SUSARs). While not rigidly codified in national statutes, the practice aligns with CARPHA/international (ICH E2A) standards:
Fatal or Life-Threatening: Within 7 calendar days.
Other Serious Unexpected: Within 15 calendar days.
Periodic Reporting: Development Safety Update Reports (DSURs) are typically required annually or upon request.
Submission: Reports are submitted directly to the Ministry or CARPHA via email or forms; there is no dedicated national electronic trial portal.
2. Post-Marketing Pharmacovigilance
Post-approval surveillance is voluntary and spontaneous, utilizing the regional VigiCarib platform.
Governance: The CFDD oversees safety, but enforcement is limited.
Personnel & Infrastructure:
No Local QPPV: There is no requirement for a local Qualified Person for Pharmacovigilance residing in Trinidad and Tobago.
No PSMF Mandate: Marketing Authorization Holders (MAHs) are not required to register or maintain a Pharmacovigilance System Master File in the country.
Incident Reporting (ICSRs):
Reporting is spontaneous via VigiCarib or standardized forms.
Timelines: Not codified nationally. The expectation is "prompt" reporting for serious or unexpected events (generally interpreted as 15 days).
Risk & Periodic Reporting:
PSURs: Not routinely mandatory. Updates may be requested during registration renewal.
RMPs: Not a standard requirement; risk assessment is reactive.
Summary of Requirements
Component Requirement in Trinidad & Tobago Regulatory Authority CFDD (Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division) Regional Framework CARPHA / VigiCarib Local QPPV / PSMF Not required Safety Reporting Spontaneous; "Prompt" reporting Clinical Reporting SUSARs (Expedited); DSURs (on request) Regional Alignment WHO / CARPHA
In Trinidad and Tobago, Pharmacovigilance is regulated by the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division (CFDD) under the Ministry of Health. The system is basic and relies heavily on regional support from CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency) and the VigiCarib network.
1. Clinical Safety (Clinical Trials)
Clinical trials are rare in Trinidad and Tobago. When they occur, they require Ministry of Health approval and adherence to international ethical norms.
-
Expedited Reporting: Sponsors are expected to report Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reactions (SUSARs). While not rigidly codified in national statutes, the practice aligns with CARPHA/international (ICH E2A) standards:
-
Fatal or Life-Threatening: Within 7 calendar days.
-
Other Serious Unexpected: Within 15 calendar days.
-
-
Periodic Reporting: Development Safety Update Reports (DSURs) are typically required annually or upon request.
-
Submission: Reports are submitted directly to the Ministry or CARPHA via email or forms; there is no dedicated national electronic trial portal.
2. Post-Marketing Pharmacovigilance
Post-approval surveillance is voluntary and spontaneous, utilizing the regional VigiCarib platform.
-
Governance: The CFDD oversees safety, but enforcement is limited.
-
Personnel & Infrastructure:
-
No Local QPPV: There is no requirement for a local Qualified Person for Pharmacovigilance residing in Trinidad and Tobago.
-
No PSMF Mandate: Marketing Authorization Holders (MAHs) are not required to register or maintain a Pharmacovigilance System Master File in the country.
-
-
Incident Reporting (ICSRs):
-
Reporting is spontaneous via VigiCarib or standardized forms.
-
Timelines: Not codified nationally. The expectation is "prompt" reporting for serious or unexpected events (generally interpreted as 15 days).
-
-
Risk & Periodic Reporting:
-
PSURs: Not routinely mandatory. Updates may be requested during registration renewal.
-
RMPs: Not a standard requirement; risk assessment is reactive.
-
Summary of Requirements
| Component | Requirement in Trinidad & Tobago |
| Regulatory Authority | CFDD (Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division) |
| Regional Framework | CARPHA / VigiCarib |
| Local QPPV / PSMF | Not required |
| Safety Reporting | Spontaneous; "Prompt" reporting |
| Clinical Reporting | SUSARs (Expedited); DSURs (on request) |
| Regional Alignment | WHO / CARPHA |