On World Patient Safety Day (17 September), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced 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 statutory guidance for schools in England.
These curriculum changes are underpinned by research conducted over more than five years by researchers at the University of Liverpool and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
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.
The University of Liverpool’s Professor Dan Hawcutt said: “It’s fantastic that young people now learn in the RSHE curriculum how to report medicine side effects. Previously, they were only taught about harms, not how to improve safety. Reports from young people through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme are as high-quality as adult reports, but far fewer—around 100 per year. Importantly, young people often report effects like anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, which adults may miss.
“This project, a collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, involved over 3,500 young people in creating clear, useful information. It will now reach thousands more each year.
“The next step is to see how this improves reporting and helps make medicines safer for young people.”
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 guide tested with over 3,500 children and young people.
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.”
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:
- Take charge of their own health
- Speak up when something doesn’t feel right
- Play a direct role in improving the safety of medicines and medical devices for all
About the Yellow Card scheme
The Yellow Card scheme is the UK’s system for reporting suspected side effects to medicines, medical devices, and other healthcare products. Managed by the MHRA, the scheme plays a crucial role in monitoring product safety and taking action to minimise risks.