04 November 2025
Health and Care Jersey are partnering with the World Health Organisation, WHO, and joining
130 partner organisations worldwide to take part in a #MedSafetyWeek campaign, which runs
from 3–9 November 2025.
The campaign is in its tenth year and aims to encourage patients,
families, and healthcare professionals to report any suspected side effects of medicines using
a Yellow Card report – to help protect others.
Medicines save lives and improve the health of millions of people globally. Sometimes they can
also cause unintended side effects. By reporting suspected side effects when they do occur,
regulators can take action to make medicines safer.
Regulatory agencies around the world such
as the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency) use reports from patients and
healthcare professionals to monitor the safety of medicines and respond to any potential risks.
Unfortunately, research indicates that only about 5-10% of all suspected side effects are
reported.
Common reasons for not reporting suspected side effects from medicines include not knowing
it’s possible, not thinking it matters, or simply forgetting. That’s why the #MedSafetyWeek
campaign was founded in 2016 to raise awareness of why, how, and where to report side
effects.
It’s not only doctors, pharmacists, or regulators; everyone has a role to play. By reporting
suspected side effects Islanders are contributing to making medicines safer for everyone
around the world.
Any side effects from medicine can be reported using a Yellow Card report.
gov.je