This week marks the 10th annual Medicine Safety Week, running from 3–9 November 2025. The aim is simple — to make sure that medicines and healthcare products are as safe as possible for everyone.
Sometimes, people notice changes when they start a new medicine — like feeling more tired than usual or noticing hair loss — and these effects might not be listed on the medicine’s packaging. Or you might take an over-the-counter medicine for a headache and later get a rash or feel sick, even though that side effect isn’t mentioned in the leaflet.
When this happens, reporting it can really help. By letting us know if you think you’ve had a side effect or problem with a medicine, experts can spot patterns early and make medicines even safer for everyone.
Aren’t medicines already tested?
Yes — all medicines used in the UK go through strict testing before they’re approved. They must meet very high safety standards. But sometimes, rare side effects only show up once lots of people start using a medicine.
That’s why we have the Yellow Card scheme — a national system that helps monitor medicines after they’re available to the public. It collects reports about side effects and other safety concerns to help keep medicines safe over time.
What you can report
You can use the Yellow Card to report:
- Possible side effects from medicines
- Injuries or near-misses involving medical devices (for example, broken parts or confusing instructions)
- Medicines that don’t seem to work properly
- Poor quality or faulty products
- Suspected fake or counterfeit medicines
You don’t need to be certain that the medicine caused the problem — even if you just think it might have, it’s still worth reporting.
How to make a report
Reporting is quick and easy. You can:
- Visit the Yellow Card website to fill in a form online, or
- Download the Yellow Card app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
How else can we keep medicines safe?
We can also keep medicines safe by reducing medicine waste.
Simple steps can make a big difference. Only order your repeat prescriptions when you really need them, and take any unused or out-of-date medicines back to your local pharmacy so they can be thrown away safely. This helps stop accidents at home — for example, if children or pets find old medicines and swallow them by mistake. It also helps protect the environment by keeping medicines out of our rivers and seas.
Find out more about reducing medicine waste in Greater Manchester.
