Comments for Consumers
This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.
Australian Prescriber Vol. 28 No. 6 2005
Reporting adverse reactions
The long-term safety of a new medicine is often unknown. This is because the medicine may have been tested in relatively few people before it is approved for general use. Side effects may only become apparent after the drug has been widely used.
To increase information about medicines' safety, health professionals report side effects to the Adverse Drug Reactions Unit of the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Canberra. These reports are assessed to see if problems are emerging. In some cases medicines have been restricted for use, or banned for safety reasons.
As people can get side effects from medicines that they buy over-the-counter, members of the public can make reports. One way to do this is to contact the Consumer Adverse Medicine Events Line on 1300 134 237.
Your call is confidential, but could help to improve our knowledge of medicines and improve the safer use of medicines.
