On World Patient Safety Day, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has announced a landmark achievement in its mission to protect public health: for the first time, medicine safety and side effect reporting are now part of the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education guidance for schools in England.
In partnership with the Department for Education, the MHRA has successfully integrated this life-saving content into the national curriculum, ensuring that children and young people across the country learn how to recognise and report side effects through the Yellow Card scheme.
This bold move places patient safety in the hands of the next generation, giving them the tools to take charge of their health and contribute to safer healthcare systems.
What Students Will Learn:
- What a side effect is
- Why reporting problems with medicines matters
- How to submit a Yellow Card report
- Who the MHRA are and how they protect public safety
MHRA Chief Executive Lawrence Tallon 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.”
The curriculum now links directly to the Yellow Card website and includes a child-friendly guide, tested with over 3,500 children and young people, explaining the reporting process in simple, accessible language.
This initiative reflects the global call to protect children from preventable harm, aligning with the goals of World Patient Safety Day. It also marks a significant step in health literacy, ensuring even the youngest members of society understand how to report concerns and stay safe.
The MHRA’s guide is now an official part of the resources supporting Health Education in England, making medicine safety accessible, empowering, and actionable.
Image credit: iStock
