SIERRA LEONE JOINS 10th ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN FOR SAFER USE OF MEDICINES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 3rd November 2025

Everyone has a role to play in medicines safety. By reporting suspected side effects you and I can help make medicines safer for everyone. That’s the core message of this year’s #MedSafetyWeek campaign now in its tenth year.

The Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone (PBSL) is one of 130 partner organisations worldwide taking part in this campaign which runs from 3–9 November 2025. Together we’re encouraging patients families and healthcare professionals to report any suspected side effects – because each report can help protect others.

Medicines save lives and improve the health of millions of people globally. Sometimes they can also cause unintended side effects. By reporting suspected side effects when they do occur regulators can take action to make medicines safer. Regulatory agencies around the world such as PBSL use reports from patients and healthcare professionals to monitor the safety of medicines and respond to any potential risks. Unfortunately research indicates that only about 5–10% of all suspected side effects are reported. 

In his statement Dr. James P. Komeh (Head of Agency) stated "This means that we only see the tip of the iceberg and that it may take longer to identify important safety issues. By raising awareness through #MedSafetyWeek we want more people to know that their report matters."

Common reasons for not reporting suspected side effects from medicines include not knowing it’s possible not thinking it matters or simply forgetting. That’s why the #MedSafetyWeek campaign was founded in 2016 to raise awareness of why how and where to report side effects. The 2025 tenth anniversary edition will be the largest so far with 130 organisations in 117 countries committed to sharing the #MedSafetyWeek message in more than 60 languages.

“By reporting suspected side effects you and I have the power to make medicines safer for everyone. Speaking up could help protect someone else. It’s not only doctors pharmacists or regulators; everyone has a role to play. That is a core message of this campaign: that medicines safety starts with you and me ” says the Head of Agency.

From 3–9 November 2025 everyone can help promote the #MedSafetyWeek message by using the hashtag and sharing social media posts from PBSL and other participating organisations. In Sierra Leone the campaign will also involve the Pharmaceutical Society of Sierra Leone The Young Pharmacist Group The National Association of Pharmaceutical Students the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Council the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association the Sierra Leone Nurses Association and many other local partners; etc.

Issued by:

Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone (PBSL)

Freetown Sierra Leone

+232-99-117117

info@pharmacyboard.gov.sl

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