UK launches pilot scheme for patients to report drug side effects via National Health Scheme call centers
UK launches pilot scheme for patients to report drug side effects via National Health Scheme call centers
LONDON, ENG;AND, April 25, 2003 -- British Health Minister David Lammy announced the first phase of patient reporting of suspected Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) via NHS (National Health Service) Direct.
The NHS Direct call center in Beckenham, covering South-east London, has become the first center in the country to introduce patient reporting of ADRs. Subject to experience at the first call center, the intention is to roll out the new service to all 22 NHS Direct call centers throughout England.
David Lammy said: "This marks an important step in putting patients in England at the heart of systems for promoting and protecting public healthcare by enabling them for the first time to report suspected ADRs. Rather than having to go to a GP, patients can quickly access advice and report reactions that can help to improve our knowledge of the safe use of medicines."
The introduction of patient reporting fulfills a commitment made in October 2002 at the launch of the extension of the Yellow Card Scheme to all nurses, which has added around 330,000 more health professionals to the scheme. This extension was supported by the introduction of an electronic Yellow Card on the new Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website, which can be used by all health professionals to enable quicker and easier submission of reports.
Professor Alasdair Breckenridge, the chairman of the MHRA said: "The Yellow Card Scheme has been the cornerstone of monitoring drug safety for nearly 40 years. We now plan to roll out across England a new service offered by NHS Direct. This will enable patients to contribute directly to the Yellow Card scheme by reporting their own ADRs. We will be carefully monitoring the results of this pilot."
Chrys Short, Nursing Director for NHS Direct South East London said: "Patient reporting via NHS Direct will offer an important step in involving patients in monitoring drug safety with the support of our trained staff. I am pleased that the center here at Beckenham has been chosen as the first center to pilot this major initiative. We will be able to offer advice to deal with the problems a patient is experiencing as well as completing the Electronic Yellow Card to be sent to the MHRA."
Source: U.K. Department of Health www.doh.gov.uk
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