What does the term "post-market surveillance" mean?

The term "post-market surveillance" refers to the ongoing monitoring of the safety and performance of a product after it has been released to the market. This process involves systematically collecting and analyzing data on product performance, adverse events, and user feedback to ensure that any potential risks are identified and addressed in a timely manner. The goal of post-market surveillance is to enhance product safety, monitor long-term effectiveness, and ensure that regulatory compliance continues after the product is available to consumers.

This definition captures the essence of post-market surveillance, which is crucial in industries such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices, where product use can lead to unforeseen issues that arise only after widespread distribution. In contrast, the other options refer to activities that occur before a product's release, such as design monitoring, market demand evaluation, and pre-release testing, which are all part of the pre-market phase rather than the post-market phase.