Medicine safety
A few simple habits help you use medicines safely — reading the leaflet, taking them as directed, and asking a pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Updated August 2026
- Clinical review pending
- 2 sources
At a glance
- Take medicines as directed and read the patient information leaflet.
- A pharmacist can answer questions about your medicines.
On this page (2 sections)
Overview
Medicines work best and most safely when they are used correctly. The specific advice for your medicine is on its label and in the patient information leaflet [1].
Simple safety steps
Take your medicine as directed, do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice, store medicines safely and out of the reach of children, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure about anything. Suspected side effects can be reported to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme [2].
Sources
- NHS. Medicines A to Z (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.
- MHRA. Yellow Card scheme — report a suspected side effect (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.
About this page
- Written by
- Consumer Health editorial team
- Medical review
- Pending — this page has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician. Read our medical review policy.
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Next review due
- August 2027
Important: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional — such as your GP or pharmacist — for advice about your individual circumstances, and do not start, stop or change any prescribed treatment based only on this page. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 999. Consumer Health is an independent health-information resource and is not the NHS or a government body.
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