FDA Observes 20 Years of Supporting Medication Safety Through MedWatch Program
For 20 years, FDA’s MedWatch program has supported medication safety efforts by providing a means for health care providers and consumers to report safety information regarding FDA-regulated products. Reports submitted to the MedWatch system on unexpected, serious side effects or other product quality issues have prompted FDA actions such as implementing label changes or issuing product warnings or recalls, notes FDA. Both health care providers and consumers may report problems with drugs or other FDA-regulated products using the online MedWatch reporting form, or by following the instructions to submit a report by calling FDA or sending a report by fax or mail. A new online resource, MedWatchLearn, provides instructions for health care providers, students, and consumers on submitting MedWatch reports.