MHRA and Department for Education embed medicine safety into school curriculum to empower young people
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On World Patient Safety Day (17 September), the Medicines and
Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is proud to announce a
major milestone in its mission to protect public health: for the
first time, the importance of medicine safety and how to report
side effects of medicines via the Yellow Card scheme is now part of
the RSHE statutory guidance for schools in England. Working
in close partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), the
MHRA has...Request free trial
On World Patient Safety Day (17 September), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is proud to announce a major milestone in its mission to protect public health: for the first time, the importance of medicine safety and how to report side effects of medicines via the Yellow Card scheme is now part of the RSHE statutory guidance for schools in England. Working in close partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), the MHRA has successfully embedded this life-saving knowledge into the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance – reaching children and young people in classrooms across the country. This bold step puts patient safety into the hands of the next generation, giving them the tools to recognise and report side effects from medicines. Putting safety at the heart of education The curriculum changes are reflected in the statutory guidance , which now links directly to the Yellow Card scheme and a dedicated child-friendly guidetested with over 3,500 children and young people. The content covers:
A landmark in public health education Lawrence Tallon, MHRA Chief Executive, said: “This World Patient Safety Day, we're marking a new era in public health. By equipping young people with knowledge about medicine safety, we're laying the foundations for a lifetime of safer healthcare. The inclusion of information on how to report side effects via the Yellow Card scheme in schools ensures every child knows that their voice matters in making medicines and devices safer for everyone.” Zubir Ahmed, Patient Safety Minister, said: “This government is helping the children of today to be part of the healthiest generation ever. From getting children exercising and banning junk food ads near schools, to empowering them to take control of their own health. “By embedding education about the safety of medicines into the school curriculum, we're giving young people the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves and their loved ones from preventable harm. On World Patient Safety Day, this is just one of the ways we're putting patient voice at the heart of healthcare for all ages.” Professor Henrietta Hughes, the Patient Safety Commissioner, said: “It's excellent to see Yellow Card reporting on the school curriculum, so more people know how to report possible side effects. No one knows themselves better than patients and their families. When we respect and act on what patients say, improved safety from medicines and medical devices will follow.” Stephen Tomlin, The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacy Group (NPPG) Joint Medicines Committee, commented: “Medicines are the largest therapeutic intervention in the health care setting and children often experience the success and problems with medicines in a different way to adults. This initiative supports children to intervene and interact with medicine safety which will not only help support improvement in their care, but also equip them with a lifetime medicine safety skill.” Why it matters World Patient Safety Day emphasises the need for stronger measures to protect children from preventable harm. The inclusion of this important information on the curriculum reflects this call by making young people active participants in the safety of the healthcare system. The inclusion in education ensures that even the youngest members of society know how to:
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About the Yellow Card scheme
Notes to editors
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