The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7222 p631
2 November 2002

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MCA launches web version of yellow card scheme

The reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions using a web version of the yellow card scheme was launched this week by Health Minister Lord Hunt. The original yellow card scheme has also been extended to include reporting by all nurses, health visitors and midwives.

A spokesman for the Medicines Control Agency said that both initiatives were designed to increase reporting through the scheme.

He added that the electronic version of the yellow card on the MCA website (www.mca.gov.uk) will allow for reports to be received and processed more rapidly by the MCA, thus facilitating the early detection of previously unrecognised reactions. Pharmacists and other health care professionals are encouraged to report using the electronic yellow card where possible.

The electronic yellow card scheme will not be password protected but will require reporters to give their name, address and professional affiliation. Reports received from patients will be dealt with in the same way as those received via the paper scheme. "We deal with them as an enquiry and write to the patient to encourage them to speak to a health care professional," a spokesman for the MCA said.

The MCA has prepared an educational pack on suspected ADR reporting that will be available on its website from 31 October.