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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Side-effects 'should be reported' | Side-effects 'should be reported' |
| (5 days later) | |
| A campaign has been launched to get members of the public to report any side-effects they experience after taking medicines. | A campaign has been launched to get members of the public to report any side-effects they experience after taking medicines. |
| The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) wants pharmacists to promote and make better use of the "Yellow Card" scheme. | The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) wants pharmacists to promote and make better use of the "Yellow Card" scheme. |
| The scheme, which includes online reporting, was set up in 1964 in the wake of the Thalidomide tragedy. | The scheme, which includes online reporting, was set up in 1964 in the wake of the Thalidomide tragedy. |
| It has since helped detect dozens of unexpected side-effects. | It has since helped detect dozens of unexpected side-effects. |
| If you suspect that you have had a side-effect to your medicine, please tell us about it via the Yellow Card scheme Dr June RaineMHRA | If you suspect that you have had a side-effect to your medicine, please tell us about it via the Yellow Card scheme Dr June RaineMHRA |
| While drugs are heavily tested prior to release, some "adverse effects" may not be spotted, or the medicine may interact with other drugs or even foods in an unexpected way. | While drugs are heavily tested prior to release, some "adverse effects" may not be spotted, or the medicine may interact with other drugs or even foods in an unexpected way. |
| Reports on the Yellow Card scheme helped scientists find out that cranberry juice interacted with warfarin, one of the most commonly prescribed blood thinning drugs. | |
| In 2001, other Yellow Card reports revealed a connection between smoking cessation drug Zyban and seizures. | In 2001, other Yellow Card reports revealed a connection between smoking cessation drug Zyban and seizures. |
| The MHRA also wants community pharmacists to file more reports on drug reactions to them. | The MHRA also wants community pharmacists to file more reports on drug reactions to them. |
| Most of the 20,000 reports every year come directly from doctors, but only a few hundred from community pharmacists. | Most of the 20,000 reports every year come directly from doctors, but only a few hundred from community pharmacists. |
| Simpler system | Simpler system |
| Dr June Raine, from the MHRA, said: "We are keen to let people know that whilst their medicines have important benefits, they may also have unwanted side-effects. | Dr June Raine, from the MHRA, said: "We are keen to let people know that whilst their medicines have important benefits, they may also have unwanted side-effects. |
| "If you suspect that you have had a side-effect to your medicine, please tell us about it via the Yellow Card scheme." | "If you suspect that you have had a side-effect to your medicine, please tell us about it via the Yellow Card scheme." |
| Why wasn't my father warned about the dangers of taking this drug? Amanda Cale, whose father died from an adverse reaction to a prescription drug Amanda's story | Why wasn't my father warned about the dangers of taking this drug? Amanda Cale, whose father died from an adverse reaction to a prescription drug Amanda's story |
| She said that members of the public could either pick up a reporting form from their pharmacist, file a report online, or speak to the pharmacist to help guide them through the process. | She said that members of the public could either pick up a reporting form from their pharmacist, file a report online, or speak to the pharmacist to help guide them through the process. |
| A spokesman for the MHRA stressed that they were interested to hear about any side-effect, including side-effects already mentioned by the doctor or covered by the drug packaging. | A spokesman for the MHRA stressed that they were interested to hear about any side-effect, including side-effects already mentioned by the doctor or covered by the drug packaging. |
| Shelley Flanagan suffered side-effects after using antibiotics to treat pneumonia. | Shelley Flanagan suffered side-effects after using antibiotics to treat pneumonia. |
| She said: "I would encourage anyone who believes they have had a side-effect to a medicine to fill out a Yellow Card like I did, or report online." | She said: "I would encourage anyone who believes they have had a side-effect to a medicine to fill out a Yellow Card like I did, or report online." |
| A spokesman for the National Pharmacy Association, which represents community pharmacists, said that it welcomed the campaign. | A spokesman for the National Pharmacy Association, which represents community pharmacists, said that it welcomed the campaign. |
| "Yellow Cards certainly used to be the domain of just the healthcare professional, but I think the MHRA have now made them much easier to use for the public. | "Yellow Cards certainly used to be the domain of just the healthcare professional, but I think the MHRA have now made them much easier to use for the public. |
| "We wholeheartedly support this and are encouraging our members to promote the scheme." | "We wholeheartedly support this and are encouraging our members to promote the scheme." |