The Ministry of Health and Social Development, in partnership with the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is promoting the safe use of medicines as part of #MedSafetyWeek, which is observed from November 4 to 10. This year’s campaign theme highlights the importance of correct medicine usage to prevent adverse effects and encourages the reporting of side effects when they do occur.
Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Gracia Wheatley-Smith, emphasized that “research shows that about half of all side effects are preventable. Patient safety is our top priority, and during the #MedSafetyWeek campaign, we want to remind patients to take their medicines as instructed and healthcare professionals to review therapies before prescribing them.”
“Medicines are used by millions of people to treat their illness. However, sometimes medicines can cause side effects. By using medicines correctly, we can drastically reduce the risk of side effects and severe harm. By reporting side effects when they occur, we can help make medicines safer for everyone”, she added.
In the BVI, side effects can be reported by doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and patients through an adverse reaction reporting form. Completed forms should be emailed to the Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services at grwheatley-smith@gov.vg, where they are reviewed to help safeguard local medicine users.
These reports are shared with regional and international regulatory agencies to enhance the overall safety profile of pharmaceuticals worldwide. “Every time you report a suspected side effect to the Office of Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services, your doctor, pharmacist or other health care provider, you help make medicines safer for patients all around the world,” Mrs. Wheatley-Smith explained.
For more information on #MedSafetyWeek, residents are encouraged to contact the Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services at grwheatley-smith@gov.vg or call 468 9850.