MedSafetyWeek 2026 campaign launches to improve drug safety

The global MedSafetyWeek 2026 campaign, running from November 2 to November 8, has launched with participation from the National Organization for Medicines (EOF) in Greece. The initiative encourages patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to report adverse drug reactions to help protect others from harm.

Spyros Sapounas, president of EOF, noted that reporting adverse effects via the Yellow Card system is a pillar of continuous drug safety monitoring. He highlighted that reports have quadrupled compared to the period immediately preceding the Covid-19 vaccination campaign, though further progress is needed.

The Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association (PFS) also supports the campaign, emphasizing that pharmacists play a crucial role as a link between patients and regulatory authorities. Manolis Katsarakis, General Secretary of the PFS, stated that even seemingly insignificant symptoms should be reported, as these data points allow EOF to identify potential risks and ensure the correct use of medicinal products.