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Patient pathways glossary

This resource explains patient pathways glossary in plain language, with attention to evidence limits, safety and informed conversations with qualified professionals.

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01

Core terms

These concise definitions are general orientation, not clinical guidance.

  • Clinical trial — a planned study in people designed to answer defined health questions under an approved protocol.
  • Regulatory review — an authority's assessment of evidence on quality, safety and effectiveness for an intended use.
  • Pharmacovigilance — ongoing detection, assessment and prevention of medicine-related risks after authorization.
  • Generic medicine — a product authorized against an appropriate reference product under applicable standards.
  • Drug shortage — a situation in which available supply cannot meet expected demand in a market.

02

Use this information safely

This information is general. Diagnosis, treatment changes, interactions and urgent symptoms require advice from a qualified professional or the appropriate emergency service.

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