BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – The Belize government, on Monday, joined 130 partner organisations worldwide in participating in the #MedSafetyWeek campaign, encouraging patients, families, and healthcare professionals to report any suspected side effects from medicines.
“By reporting suspected side effects, you and I have the power to make medicines safer for everyone. Speaking up could help protect someone else. It’s not only doctors, pharmacists, or regulators; everyone has a role to play. That is a core message of this campaign: that medicine safety starts with you and me,” says Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director of Public Health and Wellness.
The Ministry of Public Health and Wellness said that the initiative is important because everyone has a role to play in medical safety.
It said medicines save lives and improve the health of millions of people globally. However, they can also cause unintended side effects.
“By reporting suspected side effects when they do occur, regulators can take action to make medicines safer. Regulatory agencies around the world, including the Ministry of Health and Wellness, use reports from patients and healthcare professionals to monitor drug safety and respond to potential risks.
“Unfortunately, research indicates that only about five to 10 per cent of all suspected side effects are reported. By raising awareness during #MedSafetyWeek, the Ministry wants more people to know that their reports matter. “
The Ministry said that common reasons for not reporting suspected side effects from medicines include not knowing it’s possible, not thinking it matters, or simply forgetting.
It said that the #MedSafetyWeek campaign provides an opportunity to continue raising awareness of why, how, and where to report side effects.
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