Online Reporter
Anesu January
Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe has joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the global Med Safety Week campaign, with the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) imploring citizens to play an active role in ensuring safe use of medicines.
The Med Safety Week campaign was founded in 2016 to raise awareness on why, how and where to report medicine side effects.
The 2025 10th anniversary edition will see 130 organisations in 117 countries committing to sharing the Med Safety Week message in more than 60 languages.
Medicines Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), director-general, Mr Richard Rukwata, said in a statement that medicines save lives and improve the health of millions of people globally, but can sometimes cause unintended effects.
“By reporting suspected side effects when they do occur, regulators can take action to make medicines safer,” he said.
“Regulatory agencies around the world, such as the MCAZ, use reports from patients and healthcare professionals to monitor the safety of medicines and respond to any potential risks. Unfortunately, research indicates that only about 5 to 10 percent of all suspected side effects are reported.
“This means that we only see the tip of the iceberg and that it may take longer to identify important safety issues,” he said.
“By raising awareness through Med Safety Week, we want more people to know that their report matters.”
Mr Rukwata said that by reporting suspected side effects: “You and I have the power to make medicines safer for everyone.
“Speaking up could help protect someone else. It is not only doctors, pharmacists, or regulators; everyone has a role to play. That is a core message of this campaign: that medicine safety starts with you.”
