Making medicines safer – the Yellow Card Scheme

News - 25 September 2018

All medicines can cause unwanted side effects (sometimes called adverse drug reactions), in some people. Many side effects are mild, but some can be serious and even life-threatening.
Person speaking to a pharmacist

Some side effects are not known about until many people have taken the medicine for a long time. That’s why it is important for people to report the side effect.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) collects information about adverse drug reactions on Yellow Card reports. The MHRA uses these reports to review medicines, identify previously unknown issues, and take action when needed.

Anyone can report, including patients. You only have to report suspicion; you don’t have to be sure it was the drug causing it. Patient reports are really valuable, they provide important insights into how side effects affect quality of life and often provide a detailed timeline.

Reporting is quick and easy and can be done:

Online – https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

App You can download the reporting app from the iTunes App Store and Google Play for your IOS or Android device.

Paper – there also paper forms that you can post to the MHRA, ask your GP or pharmacist for a copy.

Find more information at http://yccwm.org.uk/ or @YellowCardWM on Twitter.

 

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