Published: 3 November 2025
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#MedSafetyWeek 2025 Media Release
3 November 2024
JOIN US FOR THE 10th ANNIVERSARY of #MedSafetyWeek
This week (3-9 November 2025) Medsafe is taking part in #MedSafetyWeek campaign, a global campaign with the goal of encouraging everyone to report suspected side effects of medicines.
The theme of this year’s MedSafetyWeek is “We can all make medicines safer”.
Medicines save lives and improve the health of millions of people worldwide. However, they can also cause unintended side effects. By reporting suspected side effects when they do occur, regulators can take action to help improve the safe use of medicines.
Regulatory agencies such as Medsafe rely on reports from patients and healthcare professionals to monitor the safety of medicines. These reports help identify potential safety issues and enable appropriate action to be taken when a safety issue is confirmed. Read more on how Medsafe monitors the safety of medicines.
“Not all suspected side effects are reported. By raising awareness through #MedSafetyWeek, we want more people to know that their report matters,” says Chris James, the Group Manager for Medsafe.
Common reasons for not reporting suspected side effects from medicines include not knowing it’s possible, not thinking it matters, or assuming that only healthcare professionals can report. That’s why the #MedSafetyWeek campaign was founded in 2016 with the aim to raise awareness of why, how, and where to report suspected side effects.
This year’s tenth anniversary edition will be the largest so far, with 130 organisations in 117 countries committed to sharing the #MedSafetyWeek message in more than 60 languages.
“We all have the power to make a difference. Reporting suspected side effects to medicines is not just for doctors, nurses, pharmacists; everyone has a role to play” says Chris James.
Suspected side effects from medicines can be reported using the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring online form. Importantly, patients or healthcare professionals do not need to be certain that the medicine caused the reaction – just suspicious.
Get on board this week and help promote the #MedSafetyWeek message by using the hashtag and sharing social media posts from the Ministry of Health and other local organisations – together we can improve the safe use of medicines.
