¿Qué es la #MedSafetyWeek y el esquema de Tarjeta Amarilla de la MHRA?

This isn't just a job for scientists and doctors - anyone can make a difference by speaking up if there's a possible issue.

In the UK, medicines and other healthcare products meet very high safety standards. The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) plays an important role in this, keeping watch over medicines and devices, investigating problems, and taking action to protect the public from harm.

To do this, the MHRA needs to hear when you have any unexpected side effects, a medical device incident, or believe a product isn't working properly. This is the purpose of the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Case study: new side effect found for Gaviscon Infant

Your reports make a real difference. When a three-month-old baby boy developed severe constipation while taking Gaviscon Infant, this is what happened when his mother reported it.

1. MHRA experts investigated the report and found six other reports of constipation with Gaviscon Infant in children under nine months.

2. They found that the product information and precautions had been accurate for children over one years of age, and not for younger babies.

3. Regulatory action was taken with the pharmaceutical company to update product warnings that severe constipation can occur in those under one years of age, so that both doctors and parents can make safe decisions based on this information.

Here are five questions you – as patient, parent, or carer – can ask your healthcare provider to help you make informed decisions and raise awareness of preventing side effects:

1. What is this medicine for?

2. When and how should I take it?

3. How should I store it?

4. Can it interact with my other medicines, herbal products or food?

5. What are the potential side effects?

If you have or suspect a side effect, it’s important to report it to your healthcare provider. You can also report side effects yourself - or on behalf of someone you’re caring for - using the Tarjeta Amarilla. Every report counts, and helps the MHRA monitor the safety of medicines and prevent future harm to others.