New CPD e-learning module on reporting suspected adverse drug reactions
You can use our free e-learning modules to find out more about how and when to report suspected adverse drug reactions and earn CPD credits at the same time.
Post-publication note, August 2020:
The e-learning module is now available on the MHRA’s Yellow Card resources. Other links in this article have also been updated.
e-learning modules available
We have created a new free e-learning module for all healthcare professionals to learn about the importance of reporting suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
The European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME), an institution of European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), has given the module the highest order of accreditation. Doctors are awarded 1 EACCME credit (1 hour) on completion of the 45 minute ADR e-learning module.
Please complete this short survey upon completion of the ADR e-learning module so that we can capture your feedback and further improve the learning module.
Other e-learning modules on ADRs are also available specifically for pharmacists and nurses and these also count for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.
Importance of Yellow Card reporting
Prompt reporting to the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme helps to make medicines, vaccines, and medical devices safer.
Reporting ADRs is part of the responsibilities of healthcare professionals and their team. These responsibilities include informing patients and carers about how they can help by reporting suspected side effects themselves. Duplicate reports can be detected by our systems so please do not hesitate to complete a Yellow Card report.
The quickest way to send a report is through the Yellow Card website; SystmOne, Vision, and MiDatabank clinical software systems; or the free Yellow Card app (for iOS and Android).
Yellow Cards act as an early warning system to help the MHRA to identify and characterise important safety issues, many of which were not recognised as being related to a particular medicine until reports were received.
Help us to raise awareness
We created the new e-learning module for healthcare professionals as part of the Strengthening Collaboration for Operating Pharmacovigilance in Europe (SCOPE) Joint Action project. A survey by SCOPE found that many EU countries did not have a specific online e-learning module on ADRs to support healthcare professionals and encourage reporting.
The e-learning module forms part of a toolkit to raise awareness about reporting suspected ADRs. The toolkit also includes supporting infographics and an animation (below) that summarises how the Yellow Card scheme works.
You can help to raise awareness about the importance of reporting suspected adverse effects by sharing these materials on social media, linking to www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard, and using the hashtag #patientsafety.
Article citation: Drug Safety Update volume 10 issue 10, May 2017: 2.