MedSafetyWeek 2025 – We can all make medicines safer

This week marks the tenth annual MedSafetyWeek; a global campaign aimed at improving the safety of medicines and medical devices through reporting and shared vigilance. The focus of this year’s campaign is how we can all help make medicines safer.

The campaign is supported by both the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK and the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) on behalf of the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring. Together, they highlight the importance of reporting suspected side-effects or issues with medicines and devices. According to the UMC, fewer than 10% of side-effects are reported worldwide, which shows just how much difference a single report can make.

Why Your Report Matters

Medicines and medical devices are designed to improve health, but sometimes unexpected issues occur. You might notice a side-effect, a reaction or a problem with a device. Reporting these experiences through the Yellow Card Scheme or other national systems helps regulators spot patterns and take action. This could lead to updated product advice, improved safety information or, in rare cases, withdrawal of a product. The shared global effort during MedSafetyWeek helps amplify this message, encouraging patients, carers and the general public to pay attention and speak up.

How you can get involved

Joining MedSafetyWeek is simple:

• Report any suspected side-effects or product issues through the Yellow Card in the UK.
• Spread the message on social media, using hashtags #MedSafetyWeek and #MHRAYellowCard. The UMC and MHRA encourage sharing campaign materials which can be downloaded here.
• Talk about it with friends or family. Encourage others to pay attention to how they feel when taking a medicine or using a healthcare product and to feel comfortable reporting concerns or asking for help.

Healthcare providers, like Shropdoc, play a key role in keeping medicines safe through responsible prescribing and notifying the MHRA of any reported issues or observations promptly. During MedSafetyWeek, Shropdoc is helping to raise awareness in the community, reminding patients that their reports matter and that shared vigilance helps protect everyone in Shropshire, Powys and beyond.

Together for Safer Healthcare

MedSafetyWeek reminds us that medicine safety isn’t just the responsibility of regulators or healthcare professionals - it’s a shared effort. Every observation reported, every conversation held and every post shared contributes to a stronger safety culture. By taking part this November, whether through reporting, spreading awareness or discussing concerns with family and friends, you are helping make medicines and medical devices safer for everyone.

Let’s all take a moment to join the global network this MedSafetyWeek. Your experience could make a difference.