Call to healthcare professionals and public to report suspected side-effects

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is participating in the fifth annual social media campaign, #MedSafetyWeek, to raise awareness about the importance of reporting suspected side-effects from medicines to the national regulator.

This #MedSafetyWeek, patients, carers, healthcare professionals and their organisations, are called upon to report suspected side-effects from medicines and are advised not to wait for someone else to report their concerns.

Medicines are safe and effective, but adverse drug reactions can happen. It is hard to predict who will experience a side-effect but it is essential that any potential risks, including how a medicine is used, are understood and communicated.

Reporting helps to identify new side-effects or unexpected and serious safety problems and gain more information about known effects. By reporting, people can help make medicines safer for everyone, and assist the HPRA to protect the public’s health through effective regulation.

Ms Sinead Curran, HPRA Director of Human Products Monitoring, said: “Patient safety is always a top priority for the HPRA. We hope that this important campaign encourages everyone to report suspected side-effects from medicines.

“Reporting is invaluable as it allows us to learn more about new or known risks of medicines. Every report counts and contributes to improving the safety of medicines for all patients.”

Patients, carers and healthcare professionals are asked to report their concerns about side-effects through the HPRA’s online report form – https://www.hpra.ie/homepage/about-us/report-an-issue/human-adverse-reaction-form

Patients are advised to contact a healthcare professional if they are worried about their health.