ABPI supports patient reporting scheme

Published: 1-Nov-2005

Plans by the government medicines watchdog to encourage and study patient reports of side effects have met with strong approval from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).


Plans by the government medicines watchdog to encourage and study patient reports of side effects have met with strong approval from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

Currently the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gathers data on possible side effects from doctors and other health professionals through the long established 'Yellow Card' scheme, but a UK-wide pilot scheme is now being rolled out to welcome reports from patients and carers.

The idea behind the scheme is to increase the amount of data available to companies and thus reduce the time it takes them to identify unexpected side effects. While sceptics may choose to push the line that patients may have difficulty distinguishing side effects from disease symptoms and other unrelated health problems, those backing the move are looking to allay anxieties over the scheme by highlighting the importance of 'careful analysis'.

ABPI director of medicine, Dr Richard Tiner, has said that 'spontaneous reporting is a vital part of monitoring medicine safety. Direct reporting of patients' and carers' experiences of side effects will add a valuable new source of information for the MHRA and manufacturers.'

The ABPI is also calling for steps to improve reporting by health care professionals through better training.

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