#MedSafetyWeek 2024
The ninth annual #MedSafetyWeek kicks off this Mon 4th November.
#MedSafetyWeek is an annual global social media initiative aimed at enhancing awareness of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and how to report them.
What is the Yellow Card scheme?
In the UK, medicines and other healthcare products meet very high safety standards. The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) plays an important role in this, keeping watch over medicines and devices, investigating problems, and taking action to protect the public from harm.
To do this, the MHRA needs to hear when you have any unexpected side effects, a medical device incident, or believe a product isn’t working properly. This is the purpose of the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
You may have previously seen the Yellow Card scheme mentioned in the patient information leaflet (PIL) for a medication you have been prescribed or purchased over the counter.
Through the Yellow Card scheme, the MHRA collects and monitors information on suspected safety concerns involving healthcare products, like side effects caused by a medicine, or adverse incidents involving medical devices.
Why report side effects to the Yellow Card scheme?
Everyone has a different genetic makeup and therefore it is very difficult to predict whether an individual will experience a side effect. You can help others by reporting side effects which you, your child or someone you care for experience to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. Reports help the MHRA gain a better understanding of medicine interactions and safeguard patients through vigilant monitoring.
Anyone can report an issue with a medicine, vaccine, medical device, blood product or e-cigarette to the Yellow Card scheme.
Follow the links below to find out more about the Yellow Card scheme.
- Information | Making medicines and medical devices safer
- About the Yellow Card scheme | Making medicines and medical devices safer
- How to report to the Yellow Card scheme | Making medicines and medical devices safer
- Contact Us | Making medicines and medical devices safer
Understanding medications you have been prescribed.
It is important that you are fully informed about the medications you are prescribed.
When you are prescribed a new medication, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist:
- What is this medicine for?
- When and how should I take it?
- How should I store it?
- Can it interact with my other medicines?
- What are the side effects?
Always make sure to fully read the patient information leaflet (PIL) included with medications you have been prescribed or purchased over the counter.
