💊Polypharmacy focus for Yellow Card campaign

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched a week-long social media campaign to raise awareness about the importance of reporting suspected side effects using the Yellow Card Scheme.

The week will focus on polypharmacy: reporting side effects helps ensure safe use when taking multiple medicines.

Healthcare professionals are also being encouraged to review their patients’ medications intake, especially when prescribing, dispensing and administrating multiple medicines, as well as being vigilant to monitor, detect and report suspected side effects to the Yellow Card Scheme. Reporting plays an important role in helping MHRA monitor the safe use of medicines to protect public health through effective regulation.

Mick Foy, Head of Pharmacovigilance Strategy, at the MHRA says:

“Protecting patients is our topmost priority. Patients, their carers, and healthcare professionals are asked to report suspected side effects on a Yellow Card to the MHRA online or via the app.

“Reporting helps to improve the safety of medicines for all patients and can result in better tailored prescribing or administrative advice and information about monitoring, which can help improve adherence to treatment, and ultimately improves patient safety.”