The center for studies on the safety of medicines (cesme) is an interdisciplinary center of the University of Valladolid dedicated to research on the safety and effects of medicines on human populations. The cesme has its origin in the experience and work developed in the field of drug safety, since 1986, by the team of professors, researchers and technicians of the Center for Pharmacovigilance of Castilla y León. The creation of cesme as a University Center was approved in 2010 by the University of Valladolid; it had previously been constituted as a University Institute (Institute of Pharmacoepidemiology - IFE). This condition allows the cesme to contract with public or private entities to carry out scientific or technical work and studies, as well as to teach specialization courses. The cesme is part of the Recognized Research Group (GIR) of Pharmacogenetics, Cancer Genetics, Genetic Polymorphisms and Pharmacoepidemiology of the University of Valladolid. The ultimate goal of the Center is to help improve the health of individuals through the most appropriate use of medications.

Pharmacoepidemiology, the field of knowledge in which the Center's work is framed, addresses the study of the effects of drugs on human populations. It uses the epidemiological method and is a meeting point between clinical pharmacology and epidemiology. It is, therefore, a matter of applying epidemiological knowledge, method and reasoning to the study of both the beneficial and adverse effects of drugs; interpreting the effects of drugs also requires a sound understanding of pharmacology. In addition, pharmacoepidemiology has the task of knowing the way in which drugs are used.