E5: Computerized Systems in Pharmacovigilance: How to Choose, Validate, and Operate the Right Tools
Choosing a PV tool is no longer just a safety database decision. Computerized systems now sit across pharmacovigilance operations: safety databases, PSMF tools, QMS platforms, reporting layers, integrations, dashboards, automation, and AI-enabled capabilities.
In Episode 5 of What's Next in PV, Tereza Korecka speaks with Jan Kolouch and Vojtech Kvita from NextPV Services about how PV teams should approach computerized systems as strategic infrastructure, not just software.
The conversation covers:
* What makes a tool relevant for pharmacovigilance and GxP work
* Why companies should start with process, data flow, and intended use before vendor demos
* Strategic routes: current vendor modules, new vendors, integrations, APIs, and internal builds
* How scorecards, sandbox testing, and business requirements help decision makers
* Why cost should be assessed beyond licence price
* What validation means for configurable and cloud-based tools
* Where AI fits, and why automation and audit trails still matter
* How the approach differs for small biotechs and large pharma companies
This is a practical episode for PV, QA, IT, regulatory, and biotech leaders reviewing their technology stack or preparing for a regulated tool selection project.
Hosted by Tereza Korecka | Guests: Jan Kolouch and Vojtech Kvita, NextPV Services
Keywords:
pharmacovigilance, computerized systems, computerized tools, PV systems, GxP validation, safety database, PV technology, AI in pharmacovigilance, automation, audit trail, data integrity, PSMF, QMS, vendor selection, biotech PV
(00:53) - Opening and guest greetings(01:01) - Episode topic: computerized tools in pharmacovigilance(01:20) - Computerized systems are broader than safety databases(02:55) - How to decide whether a tool is used for PV activities(04:07) - Why PV system decisions are becoming more complex(04:29) - Digitalization, AI momentum, and cross-functional decision-making(07:17) - Main strategic options for better PV tools(07:41) - Current vendor modules, new vendors, integrations, APIs, and internal builds(11:04) - Why teams should invest time in tool selection and interoperability(12:30) - What to assess before looking at vendor options(13:16) - Demos, system inventory, data flow, and validation considerations(16:03) - Scorecards, business requirements, and system requirements(17:02) - How to compare functionality without ignoring cost(17:39) - Shortlisting vendors, sandbox testing, and pricing models(20:06) - Building a viable business case and assessing benefit-risk(21:38) - What validation means for GxP tools(22:18) - Configuration, implementation, cloud setup, and validation packages(26:04) - Why validation can range from simple testing to a full project(27:11) - AI trends without turning the episode into an AI validation deep dive(28:05) - Enterprise LLMs, local models, system-of-record data, and human oversight(33:06) - Automation before AI and why audit trails matter(35:32) - Practical decision process: from use case to governance(36:13) - Define use case, regulatory impact, data access, cost, validation, and ownership(39:54) - Small biotech vs large pharma: what changes and what stays the same(40:21) - Lean compliant stacks, fragmentation, vendor lock-in, and governance(43:53) - Final takeaway question: choosing PV tools in May 2026(44:37) - Computerized systems as strategic PV infrastructure(47:07) - Do not be afraid to move toward computerized systems and supervised AI(48:44) - Closing remarks