Medicines are used by millions of people to treat their ailments. However, sometimes medications can cause side effects. With the correct use of medicines, we can drastically reduce the risk of side effects and serious harm. Additionally, by reporting adverse reactions when they occur, we can help make medicines safer for everyone. Yesterday marked the launch of the ninth global #MedSafetyWeek campaign, in which the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health are participating as one of the 107 partner organisations.
Available research shows that approximately half of adverse reactions can be prevented. Patient safety is a primary priority, and the goal of the #MedSafetyWeek campaign is to remind patients to take their medications as instructed and to encourage healthcare professionals to assess the suitability of pharmacotherapies before prescribing.
#MedSafetyWeek is a global campaign running from 4 to 10 November 2024, involving 107 organisations from 94 countries. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of both proper use of medicines to prevent adverse reactions and the reporting of adverse reactions when they occur.
It is easy to think that only scientists or healthcare professionals can make medicines safer. However, the Pharmaceutical Services emphasise that every patient as a medicine user plays a crucial role.
Each time a suspected adverse reaction is recorded through the national Yellow Card reporting system, medicines become safer for patients around the world.
During #MedSafetyWeek 2024, everyone can help promote the campaign’s message by using the hashtag and sharing posts from the Ministry of Health’s Pharmaceutical Services on social media.
All regulatory authorities have reporting systems to monitor medicine safety. The purpose of monitoring is to gather more information about known side effects and identify new safety concerns. This can lead to warnings and changes in the way a medicine is used.
In Cyprus, suspected adverse reactions can be reported by healthcare professionals, patients, and patient caregivers via the national Yellow Card reporting system.
The Pharmaceutical Services stress that all reports received through the Yellow Card system are thoroughly reviewed and assessed to determine the appropriate actions and correct measures for the protection of the population.
It is reminded that adverse reactions can be reported to the Pharmaceutical Services’ Pharmacovigilance Sector via the Yellow Card submission by the following methods:
- Electronic submission via the Pharmaceutical Services Yellow Card website and directly on the page www.kitrinikarta.gov.cy
- Submission of the printed form via fax (22-608669) or free of charge by post to the Pharmacovigilance Sector, Pharmaceutical Services (15 Polyfimos St, 2033 Strovolos).
Source: (DK/NZ)
