2009-41
March 12, 2009
For immediate release
Backgrounder: MedEffect™ Canada
OTTAWA - The Government of Canada has launched a new social marketing campaign encouraging Canadian consumers to use MedEffect™ Canada to report suspected side effects from health products and access the latest safety information.
MedEffect™ Canada allows health professionals and consumers to easily complete and file reports on adverse reactions via web, phone, fax or mail. The website also provides the most recent and reliable health product safety information.
The new social marketing campaign stresses that increased reporting of side effects contributes significantly to the safe use of health products, such as prescription and non-prescription drugs and natural health products. Currently, less than 10 per cent of suspected side effects are reported.
As part of the marketing campaign, Health Canada is distributing a brochure entitled A Patient Guide for Reporting Side Effects from Health Products, which will be displayed at partner pharmacies across the country, including: Metro Ontario Pharmacies Limited, Canada Safeway, Costco, Familiprix, Zellers, Katz Group (Rexall/PharmaPlus), London Drugs, Lovell Drugs, uniPHARM Wholesale Drugs (Medicine Centre Pharmacies), Remedy Drug Stores, Walmart Canada and Uniprix.
The campaign also includes ads in newspapers and medical journals across the country to promote the importance of reporting side effects, and distributing a health professional guide to reporting side effects.
You can report any adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following three ways:
Consumers can find the latest communications about health product safety issues on the MedEffect™ Canada website or receive them automatically by subscribing to the MedEffect™ e-Notice.
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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Josée Bellemare
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
