Home / Health / Your Medication Side Effects Matter: Report Them!
Your Medication Side Effects Matter: Report Them!
2 Nov
Summary
- Over 1 in 10 people experience medication side effects.
- Mild side effects like nausea or fatigue should be reported.
- Patient reports are vital for improving medicine safety.
Over one in ten individuals frequently experience side effects when taking medication. These reactions can vary significantly, from common mild issues like nausea or fatigue, affecting more than 10% of users, to rare but serious adverse events impacting fewer than one in 10,000. The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively encouraging the public to report all side effects, regardless of severity.
Dr. Shanti Pal of the WHO stressed the importance of reporting, stating that even a subtle feeling of "not right" could be linked to medication. This collected data is essential for real-world evidence, enabling experts to identify safety concerns and take timely action. The UK's Yellow Card scheme, managed by the MHRA, is specifically mentioned as the national system for reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
The MHRA is running a campaign urging citizens to report side effects, with the key message: "Side effects - don't ignore them, report them." Reports are particularly sought for children, individuals over 65, biological medicines, vaccines, delayed effects, interactions, and complementary remedies. Reporting can be done electronically via the Yellow Card website or app, or by phone for those without internet access.
