As #MedSafetyWeek 2025 kicks off, a global campaign involving regulators from 94 countries and 107 organisations, the focus is clear: preventing side effects by encouraging safe medication use and timely reporting.
From the 4th to the 10th of November, the world will unite in an effort to raise awareness about proper medicine use and reporting systems to safeguard patient health.
A Global Effort for Medicine Safety
MedSafetyWeek isn’t just a local initiative; it’s an international drive to tackle preventable medication-related harm.
With the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) leading the charge, the campaign highlights how following the right steps—taking the correct medicines, in the right dose, at the right time—can significantly reduce the risk of side effects.
Preventing medication errors has never been more important. This year’s campaign coincides with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Medication Without Harm initiative, which addresses the preventable burden that improper medicine use places on both patients and healthcare systems globally.
Reporting Side Effects: A Critical Step
When side effects do occur, they must be reported. In the UK, the MHRA encourages individuals to report adverse drug reactions through the Yellow Card scheme. This system is pivotal in monitoring medicine safety, helping to identify new side effects and ensuring that known risks are managed effectively.
Tracy Blackwell, CEO of PIC, emphasizes the importance of such reporting systems:
“MedSafetyWeek is a reminder that by reporting even suspected side effects, we help improve healthcare outcomes for everyone.”
The Yellow Card scheme isn’t just for doctors or pharmacists—anyone can report a side effect, whether you’re a patient, parent, or carer. The MHRA reviews these reports to improve the safety of medicines and medical devices, ultimately protecting patients across the UK.
What Should Be Reported?
The MHRA’s Yellow Card system doesn’t stop at medicines. Reports should also include concerns about medical devices, e-cigarettes, and even fake or defective healthcare products.
Whether it’s something as simple as a reaction to a prescription drug or concerns over a faulty product, reporting it helps to refine safety measures and protect the public from harm.
Common items to report include:
- Adverse drug reactions (ADRs)
- Faulty medical devices
- Defective e-cigarettes
- Fake or low-quality healthcare products
Reducing Preventable Harm
The WHO estimates that up to half of all medication-related harms are preventable, which places significant strain on healthcare systems. By reducing these preventable side effects, MedSafetyWeek aims to make a substantial impact on patient safety.
Whether you’re a healthcare professional or a regular medicine user, following guidance can make all the difference.
Important reminders for medication use:
- Always follow the prescribed dosage
- Use medical devices as instructed
- Report any side effects as soon as they arise
In support of MedSafetyWeek, individuals are encouraged to share campaign messages across social media platforms using #MedSafetyWeek.
This simple action broadens the message, informing more people about preventing side effects and empowering them to safeguard their health.
Understanding the Impact
Through initiatives like the MHRA’s Yellow Card Biobank, the UK is taking medicine safety to the next level. The Biobank project, in collaboration with Genomics England, aims to understand how a person’s genetics may influence their likelihood of experiencing certain side effects.
Patients who have experienced severe reactions to medications such as allopurinol or anticoagulants are encouraged to report their cases and participate in the study. This cutting-edge research could help shape the future of personalised medicine and reduce adverse drug reactions even further.
Commonly Reported Side Effects
Medication Type |
Common Side Effects |
Example Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Painkillers (NSAIDs) | Stomach upset | Gastrointestinal irritation in long-term users |
| Anticoagulants | Excessive bleeding | Increased bleeding risk with direct oral anticoagulants |
| Allergy medications | Drowsiness | Reports of severe drowsiness impacting daily activities |
Supporting the Cause
Preventing side effects is a shared responsibility. The more people report, the more we learn about medicine safety, ensuring better healthcare for future generations.
As we continue through MedSafetyWeek, it’s crucial that we all play our part—whether by using medications correctly or by simply sharing this campaign on social media.
You can directly support #MedSafetyWeek on Social Media by sharing, liking and reposting their posts:
For further information about the scheme or any questions, email: Yellowcardbiobank@mhra.gov.uk
Sources: THX News & Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
