By Tendai Chisiri
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has joined forces with 130 partner organizations worldwide to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the global #MedSafetyWeek campaign.
The campaign, running from November 3 to 9, 2025, aims to promote the safer use of medicines by encouraging patients, families, and healthcare professionals to report suspected side effects.
According to MCAZ Director-General, Mr. Richard Tendayi Rukwata, “By reporting suspected side effects, individuals can help make medicines safer for everyone. Medicine safety starts with you and me.” The campaign seeks to raise awareness on the importance of reporting side effects, with research indicating that only about 5-10% of suspected side effects are reported.
MCAZ is encouraging the public to report any suspected side effects via their online platform. By doing so, individuals can contribute to a global effort to make medicines safer and protect others from potential harm.
The #MedSafetyWeek campaign is an international initiative led by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring, and supported by the WHO and members of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA).¹
Why Reporting Matters
- Reports help regulators identify potential safety issues and take action to make medicines safer
- Only about 5-10% of suspected side effects are reported, highlighting the need for increased awareness
- Patients, families, and healthcare professionals can all play a role in promoting medicine safety
Get Involved
- Use the #MedSafetyWeek hashtag to promote the campaign on social media
- Share educational posts from MCAZ and other participating organizations
- Report suspected side effects via the MCAZ online platform: (link unavailable)
By working together, we can make medicines safer for everyone.
News Sport Online 