As the spotlight falls on the new edition of #MedSafetyWeek—scheduled for November 2 to 8, 2026—the broadest international outreach campaign ever undertaken to promote a culture of pharmacovigilance.
Promoted by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC), the World Health Organization’s collaborating center for drug monitoring, and supported by the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA), the initiative mobilizes more than 130 organizations in over 120 countries, all united by the slogan: «Never ignore suspected adverse drug reactions—report them always».
The phenomenon of underreporting: a global challenge
To monitor the safety of medicines after they reach the market, regulatory authorities rely heavily on reports from doctors, healthcare professionals, and patients. Yet, WHO data highlight a structural shortcoming: less than 10% of real adverse effects are actually reported.
Born in 2016 precisely to bridge this serious gap, the #MedSafetyWeek aims to raise awareness among the public and the medical community, reminding that the absence of reports does not mean the absence of risk, but rather a reduced ability to detect it promptly.
Monitoring and safety: the pivotal role of clinicians and patients
Indeed, while medicines are an indispensable tool for treating and managing many conditions, the variability of biological responses can lead to adverse reactions, sometimes abrupt, silent, or tied to complex interactions—typically triggered by starting new treatments, changing dosages, or the concurrent use of herbal products and dietary supplements.
As emphasized by the President of the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), Robert Nisticò, «the active contribution of clinicians and patients is indispensable». Each report fuels the understanding of the medicines’ benefit–risk profile and enables regulatory authorities to intervene promptly in the face of potential warning signals.
When and what to report: a suspicion is enough
The campaign reminds us that it is not necessary to have absolute certainty about a causal link between a drug and a reaction to report it: a suspicion is sufficient, especially when the symptom negatively affects daily life, is serious, or is not listed among the potential adverse effects in the patient information leaflet. Particular attention should be paid during therapy transitions or in patients on polytherapy.
Proximate care as a cornerstone of pharmacovigilance
In this context, the general practitioner plays a strategic, frontline role in the community: not only identifying and assessing suspected symptoms in everyday conversations with patients, but also educating the public about the importance of reporting in a thoughtful, informed way.
«Reporting suspected adverse effects may seem like a small gesture, but it helps make medicines safer for everyone», reiterated Nisticò.
AIFA invites all players in the health system to actively participate in the mobilization, using the official hashtag #MedSafetyWeek to amplify a message of shared responsibility in safeguarding patient safety.
Abbonati a Karla Miller
