A new regional centre to promote Yellow Card reporting has been launched in Belfast.
The centre will have an educational and outreach role, aiming to encourage patients and healthcare professionals to report any suspected adverse incidents associated with medicines and medical devices to the Yellow Card scheme.
The centre is set to deliver local training and education, and promote safety messages from the MHRA to healthcare professionals and patient groups.
This will be the sixth UK satellite centre acting on behalf of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: “We are delighted to support the launch of a new Yellow Card centre in Belfast which will help to further improve the safety of healthcare products in the UK.
“Every report made by a patient, healthcare professional or carer plays a crucial role in helping us to gain further knowledge about the risks of medicines and medical devices in clinical use, and allows us to take action, when necessary, to minimise the risk of harm to patients. Patient safety is our top priority.
“Reporting suspected side effects and adverse incidents, including defective or fake healthcare products, to the Yellow Card scheme helps to improve the safety of medicines and medical devices for all patients. By reporting, you could be helping those who are most vulnerable and at risk of potential harm.
“If you, your child, or a patient in your care experiences a suspected side effect or adverse reaction related to a medicine or medical device, we urge you to report it to us as soon as possible. The faster you report, the more likely it is that we can intervene and prevent any possible risks to patients.”
