Welcome to the section of the MHRA website designed specifically for infection prevention practitioners and those with an interest in this important area of clinical practice.
It includes guidance, safety alerts, and links to educational material to assist staff in the safe use and management of the wide range of medicines and medical devices.
Latest news and hot topics
22 May 2012 | Drug Safety Update: May 2012 (Volume 5, Issue 10)
Drug Safety Update is essential reading for all healthcare professionals, bringing you the very latest information and advice to support the safer use of medicines.
09 May 2012 | Medical Device Alert: Endoscope accessory holder, all manufacturers (MDA/2012/024)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as the MHRA has been informed that the use of inappropriate accessory holders within automated endoscope reprocessors (AER) may lead to contamination of devices, equipment and processing media by retained soil and corroded material from the endoscope accessory holder.
08 May 2012 | Medical Device Alert: Alaris® IVAC® 590 series blood set manufactured by CareFusion (MDA/2012/023)
This Medical Device Alert has been issued as the MHRA has been informed that the manufacturer has received reports of leakage between the sleeve tubing and the drip chamber joint of the blood set when using Alaris® IVAC® 590 series blood sets.
01 May 2012 | Nurse and pharmacist independent prescribing of controlled drugs
With effect from 23 April, there have been amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations which mean that nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers can now prescribe controlled drugs.
20 Feb 2012 | Change to Yellow Card website URL
Further to instruction issued by the Cabinet Office on government websites, the Yellow Card website URL has been changed to www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. This is in line with government policy to reduce the number of government domains.
Drug Safety Update (DSU)
Interactive education modules
Annually many patients and staff are injured needlessly by medical devices that are either used incorrectly or badly maintained. These injuries are often due to user error or poor systems of work, not the device function or design. In these education packages we have tried to give a generic overview of some of the devices that have been reported to us as problematic.
We have produced a series of educational packages that are simple to use, informative and should take no more than thirty minutes to work through. They have all been developed by MHRA staff, some in conjunction with and endorsement by royal colleges and some attract CPD points. They provide valuable dos and don’ts when using and operating medical devices.
Related links
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Reporting of adverse incidents or adverse drug reactions
Any actual, suspected, potential or avoided adverse event should be reported. Further examples of cases which should be reported are available in the sections below. If in doubt, please report. You can help us by reporting adverse incidents. These reports enable us to identify medical devices and medicines that are of concern and allow us to take appropriate action.
What should I report if I suspect a medicine is associated with an adverse reaction?
Please complete a Yellow Card to report suspected adverse reactions to prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, or herbal remedies. For further information, please see www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.gov.uk
Please clarify what a medical device is and what I should report?
Please see our section on reporting safety problems.
Medical Device Alerts (MDAs)
Medical devices and equipment are items used for the diagnosis and/or treatment of disease, for monitoring patients, and as assistive technology. Medical Device Alerts (MDAs) are the MHRA's prime means of communicating safety information to medical device users in health and social care. Each MDA is designated either for Immediate action or Action. MDAs may also be used to provide updated information.
Go to the Medical Device Alerts (MDAs) related to infection prevention
Report counterfeit medicines and devices
If you have been offered what you suspect to be counterfeit products, or have seen them for sale or have bought them we would like you to tell us.
If you have any concerns or information that may assist us in tracking down those responsible for counterfeit medicines and devices you can:
- email the Enforcement Group at counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
- ring our 24 hour dedicated hotline on 020 3080 6701
- write to us at Counterfeits, The Intelligence Unit, MHRA, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SZ.
Find out more about counterfeit medicines and medical devices
Guidance and publications
Go to the guidance and publications related to infection prevention
One Liners
One Liners is a short, news sheet for healthcare professionals which highlight problems with medical devices. It is a review of user issues that have been brought to our attention and are generally reports of continuing misuse of simple medical equipment.
All medical devices can fail but an increasing number of incidents reported arise out of user problems or poor practices. The aim of the One Liner is to briefly detail some of these problems in an attempt to make users more aware of what can go wrong - it is all too easy to take equipment for granted.
