New Delhi, Dec 29 : The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will help at least 40 medical colleges in the country in understanding the adverse reactions from commonly used drugs.

"It is envisaged that the programme will initially start with 40 medical colleges in 2010 and will involve all the medical colleges in India by 2012," an AIIMS official said.

This initiative is part of the health ministry plan to "enhance patient safety by highlighting the adverse drug reactions which can be encountered by commonly used drugs across the country and attempt to minimise them".

The corporate hospitals and pharmaceutical industry having a pharmaco-vigilance system will also be invited to join the programme. It is also proposed to link the programme to National Rural Health Mission so that adverse drug reaction data from the primary and secondary health care centres can be included for monitoring, safeguarding and assuring public health. (IANS)