Promoting Patient Safety Through Reporting
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is calling upon the public to assist in safeguarding patients by reporting any safety concerns regarding medicines and healthcare products, which encompass medical devices, through the Yellow Card scheme. This initiative is part of the eleventh annual #MedSafetyWeek campaign, taking place from 2nd to 8th November 2026.
This year’s campaign carries a straightforward message: “Do not overlook suspected side effects; report them.” Over 130 organisations from more than 120 countries will disseminate vital medicines safety information in over 60 languages, highlighting the importance of collective vigilance.
To support the campaign and enhance awareness of the Yellow Card scheme, individuals are encouraged to utilise the newly available materials found on the Yellow Card website. These resources include posters, digital assets for waiting areas, and social media content, all designed to promote Yellow Card reporting. Engaging with MHRA’s social media platforms and sharing campaign content using hashtags such as #MHRAYellowCard, #MedSafetyWeek, #ReportSideEffects, and #patientsafety will further amplify the message.
Expanding the Essay Competition to Pharmacy Students
In conjunction with #MedSafetyWeek, the MHRA has unveiled its 2026 national patient safety essay competition, focusing on the detection and reporting of adverse events related to artificial intelligence (AI). This year, the competition has been broadened to include pharmacy students, in response to significant interest from the pharmacy community.
Last year’s competition saw an impressive response, with 68 submissions from over 30 medical schools across the UK. In recognition of the essential role pharmacy professionals play in ensuring medicine safety, the MHRA has opened the current competition to pharmacy students.
Participants are invited to compose an essay of up to 2,000 words addressing the topic: “Artificial intelligence (AI) is projected to transform healthcare in the coming five years. Using relevant examples, elucidate how the Yellow Card scheme can facilitate the identification of risks associated with the deployment of AI as a medical device. Explore practical approaches to enhance the detection and reporting of AI-related adverse events by patients and healthcare professionals via the Yellow Card scheme, and discuss how improved reporting could bolster the safe use of AI-enabled medical devices.”
The deadline for submissions is Monday, 11th January 2027, with six prizes available for outstanding entries. The first prize winner will receive £500 and an invitation to present their essay at a national meeting of the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) and the Interim Devices Working Group (IDWG). Additional prizes of £300 and £200 will be awarded for second and third places in each category.
The Importance of Reporting Safety Concerns
Medicines, vaccines, blood products, and medical devices play a crucial role in enhancing health and saving lives; however, they are not without potential issues. Side effects can manifest suddenly or develop over time, and device-related problems may encompass faults, failures, or unexpected outcomes.
It is not necessary to establish that a product caused a problem prior to submitting a Yellow Card report. Such reports are particularly critical when a reaction is severe, disrupts daily life, is not mentioned in the product literature, or occurs following a change in medication, dosage, or treatment combinations.
Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, remarked, “Every Yellow Card report is significant. It provides us with real-world insights into how medicines and medical devices are utilised and aids in identifying potential safety issues that may have previously gone unnoticed.”
She urged individuals to report any suspected side effects, issues with medical devices, concerns about defective medicines, or suspicions regarding counterfeit products. The MHRA emphasises that all reports are valuable, even if every detail is not available.
How to Submit a Yellow Card Report
Reports can be submitted easily online via the Yellow Card website or through the Yellow Card app, a process that typically takes only a few minutes. If there are health concerns, individuals should consult a healthcare professional, as the Yellow Card scheme does not provide medical advice.
To report suspected side effects from medicines, vaccines, herbal remedies, homeopathic products, or e-cigarettes, as well as incidents involving medical devices, defective products, or counterfeit items, individuals can access the appropriate reporting tools.
Furthermore, individuals are encouraged to remain informed and share the message about reporting safety concerns. Reading patient information leaflets, discussing known side effects with healthcare professionals, and considering whether new or changing symptoms could be linked to healthcare products are all important steps in promoting patient safety.
Joining the Global Campaign for Medicine Safety
The full terms and conditions for the essay competition can be found on the Patient safety essay competition page. #MedSafetyWeek is a global initiative led by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, with the support of the World Health Organization and a coalition of medicines regulatory authorities.
The 2026 campaign will run from 2nd to 8th November, with numerous organisations anticipated to share safety messages across various languages. The MHRA is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK, ensuring their efficacy and safety.
For anyone worried about their health, it is advised to consult a healthcare professional, as the MHRA does not offer individual medical advice. For media inquiries, please reach out via email or phone as provided.