During International Side Effects Week, emphasis is placed on preventing side effects by promoting the proper use of medications and encouraging people to report adverse reactions. Some side effects arise from the way medications are taken, which can often be prevented with correct usage. This year’s theme “preventing side effects” highlights the significance of using medicines as directed to reduce these risks.
The WHO (World Health Organization) has found that incorrect medication usage can lead to side effects. Communication between healthcare providers and patients can sometimes fall short, contributing to these issues. However, patients can also help prevent side effects by taking their medication on time and in the correct dosage. Important usage instructions, such as whether to take a medicine with water or food, are often found in the package leaflet and play a role in minimizing side effects.
CBG-MEB (Medicines Evaluation Board) and Lareb (Dutch Pharmacovigilance Centre) collect and analyze reports of side effects to enhance drug safety. For example, reports showed that babies struggled to swallow omeprazole, an antacid drink, because of its thick texture. As a result, the MEB recommended the manufacturer include advice to dilute the drink with milk in the package leaflet, thereby reducing the risk of choking. This illustrates how feedback from users can lead to actionable safety improvements.
Side effect reporting is accessible to everyone, from patients to healthcare professionals, via Lareb’s website. Reporting helps identify not only the types of side effects but also potential causes, enhancing safety knowledge and preventing future risks.
The International Side Effects Week is a WHO-organized campaign involving 94 countries, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of reporting side effects. In the Netherlands, MEB and Lareb lead the initiative, using hashtags #Bijwerkingenweek and #MedSafetyWeek to encourage people to report side effects from November 4 to 8. The campaign aims to educate the public on why reporting matters and what happens to the collected data.