Health and Care Jersey is joining 130 organisations worldwide to take part in a campaign to increase recognition and reporting of suspected side effects of medicines and vaccines.
Research shows that fewer than 10% of side effects are reported, but regulators rely on information from patients and healthcare professionals to monitor the safety of medicines and respond to any potential risks.
#MedSafetyWeek is an international campaign to increase recognition and reporting; it will take place from 3 to 9 November this year.
The initiative aims to encourage patients, families, and healthcare professionals to report any suspected side effects of medicines using a “Yellow Card” report.
Health and Care Jersey is partnering with the World Health Organisation and joining 130 partner organisations worldwide to take part in the tenth anniversary of the campaign.
In a statement, a Health and Care Jersey spokesperson said: “Common reasons for not reporting suspected side effects from medicines include not knowing it’s possible, not thinking it matters, or simply forgetting. That’s why the #MedSafetyWeek campaign was founded in 2016 to raise awareness of why, how, and where to report side effects.
“It’s not only doctors, pharmacists, or regulators; everyone has a role to play. By reporting suspected side effects, Islanders are contributing to making medicines safer for everyone around the world.”
Any side effect from a medicine can be reported using a Yellow Card report.