The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is asking pharmacists to help spread the #MedSafetyWeek message and encourage reporting of suspected side effects.

#MedSafetyWeek, which takes place from 2 to 8 November, encourages patients and healthcare professionals to stay alert for possible side effects and report them promptly. It is part of a global campaign involving medicines regulators in more than 130 countries and the HPRA says reports of suspected side effects help improve understanding of the safety of medicines and can help identify potential safety issues sooner.

Anyone can report a suspected side effect directly to the HPRA at hpra.ie/report. You can report suspected side effects, whether mild or serious, known or unexpected. You can report even if you are not sure whether the medicine caused the symptom being experienced.

The HPRA says; “Pharmacists play an important role in helping us reach more people with this message and encouraging reporting of suspected side effects. You can help by:

• Liking and sharing posts from the HPRA’s Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels during #MedSafetyWeek;
• Displaying #MedSafetyWeek posters in your workplace or community setting; and
• Encouraging your colleagues, patients, members or service users to report suspected side effects at hpra.ie/report.”

To learn more about #MedSafetyWeek and download posters and other campaign materials, visit hpra.ie/msw.