“Report the side effects of your medicine”
Today, the international side effects week starts, an annual campaign in which the medicine authority MEB and the Lareb side effects center participate. During this week we draw attention to the reporting of side effects. Because the more we know about the side effects of medicines and vaccines, the safer they can be used.
Before drugs and vaccines come onto the market, they are extensively tested. Yet we still do not know everything about a medicine. For example, medicines can cause different side effects when they are used together with other medicines, or when someone suffers from several conditions at the same time. And sometimes a side effect is so rare that it is not detected during the mandatory testing on subjects. That’s why we need patients and healthcare providers to report side effects.
New and known side effects
Almost everyone has to deal with medication at one time or another. For example, with vaccinations from the National Immunization Program, with medicines that are prescribed by a doctor or medicines that are bought at the chemist or supermarket. “There is always a risk of side effects when using medication, but fortunately not everyone suffers from this”, says Agnes Kant, director of the Lareb side effects center. “Most people notice mainly the positive effects of their medications and little or nothing of any side effects. But every drug has a risk of side effects and the more we know about these side effects, the safer drugs can be used. ” Prof. Dr Ton de Boer, chairman of the MEB medicine authority: “The package leaflet contains all known information about the possible side effects of a drug. However, the severity of an adverse reaction may be different from what research has shown. Or a new side effect may occur. It is therefore important to report side effects; new side effects, but also side effects that are already listed in the package insert. This gives us a better picture of the safety of a medicine. ”
COVID-19
Shortly after the first corona peak, the European medicine agency EMA and the MEB asked COVID-19 patients to report possible side effects of their medicines. COVID-19 is a new disease and therefore little is known about how corona patients respond to the drugs they were already taking for other conditions. New drugs against COVID-19 have also been developed, making it extra important to quickly gain more insight into the risks and side effects. For remdesivir, the first approved drug for the treatment of COVID-19 in critically ill patients, Lareb has already received the first reports of side effects. These reports were shared with the MEB and our international colleagues.
How to report side effects?
Medicines users and health care providers can report a suspected side effect to the Lareb side effect center via www.mijnbijwerking.nl. In addition, always discuss suspected side effects with your doctor or pharmacist.
About the International Side Effects Week
International Side Effects Week is an annual campaign initiated by the World Health Organization WHO. This year more than 70 countries are participating. These are on behalf of the Netherlands medicine authority MEB in Side effect center Lareb.
The Largest Corona consultation – medicines & vaccines
The side effects week coincides with ‘The Biggest Corona consultation – medicines & vaccines’, a live stream in which the MEB answers questions from viewers. This livestream will take place on Thursday evening, November 5, from 7:30 PM on YouTube. During this broadcast, Lareb director Agnes Kant also joins in to talk about the importance of reporting side effects of corona vaccines. www.hetgrootstecoronaspreekuur.nl
