Medicines must be evaluated by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to ensure that they meet the appropriate safety, quality and efficacy standards before they are approved for use in Singapore.
It is therefore important to have a robust post-market surveillance programme where the safety of medicines is continually monitored. One of the ways HSA identifies potential safety issues is by monitoring side effects reported by healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies.
Side effects are unwanted effects that occur after taking a medicine. In general, most side effects are mild and can be self-managed. However, some can be more serious and require medical attention.
Here are some examples of commonly taken medicines, and their associated side effects:
Different people react differently to medicines, and side effects may vary from person to person. This would depend on factors such as:
If you suspect that you are experiencing a side effect and are concerned about it, inform your healthcare professional e.g. doctor, dentist, pharmacist or nurse about the symptoms.
You should provide your personal particulars and the following information, where applicable:
Your healthcare professional would be in the best position to advise you on your condition and how to manage and prevent side effects. Your healthcare professional may also advise if you should continue with your current treatment.
Your healthcare professional’s report will help HSA to identify and investigate any potential safety issues arising from the use of the medicine e.g. previously unknown side effects or poor quality of a medicine. HSA studies these reports to determine if the benefits of the medicine continue to outweigh the risks and assess if any actions need to be taken.
HSA’s regulatory actions can include:
Every side effect report helps to make medicines safer for everyone.
This article was last reviewed on 22 Nov 2023
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