New campaign simplifies reporting of medicine side effects nationwide

A new awareness campaign has been launched to help patients report medicine side effects more easily. Organised by AIIMS Bhopal, the initiative aims to gather crucial data from citizens to improve drug safety across the country. The department of pharmacology at AIIMS Bhopal, which serves as a Regional Training Centre and Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Centre, led the campaign in Obaidullaganj, Raisen district. Officials highlighted common side effects such as allergies, dizziness, vomiting, and weakness that patients might experience.

To encourage reporting, the institute provided multiple ways for people to share their experiences. These included a toll-free helpline, printed consumer reporting forms, and a dedicated mobile application. The Pharmacovigilance Programme of India particularly promoted the app for its convenience, allowing patients to report issues from home. Experts stressed the importance of timely reporting. By sharing their experiences, patients can help prevent others from suffering similar harm in the future.

The campaign seeks to strengthen healthcare safety by collecting real-world data on drug reactions. With easier reporting options now available, AIIMS Bhopal hopes more citizens will participate and contribute to safer medical treatments.