Report a problem with a medicine or medical device

Report a suspected problem (‘adverse incident’) with a medicine or medical device using the Yellow Card Scheme as soon as possible, for example if:

  • a medicine causes side effects
  • someone’s injured (or almost injured) by a medical device, either because its labelling or instructions aren’t clear, it’s broken or has been misused
  • a patient’s treatment is interrupted because of a faulty device
  • someone receives the wrong diagnosis because of a medical device
  • a medicine doesn’t work properly
  • a medicine is of a poor quality
  • you think a medicine or medical device is fake or counterfeit

Anyone can report a problem.

The Yellow Card Scheme can’t give you medical advice - talk to a doctor or pharmacist.

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Before you start

There’s a different way to report a problem with a medical device if you’re in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

What happens next

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the manufacturer or a medical specialist may investigate the problem depending on how serious it is. It’ll be recorded to help prevent similar incidents in future, even if it’s not investigated.

You’ll receive a confirmation of your report. You’ll be contacted if you need to provide more information.

More information on medicines

Read the patient information leaflet for the type of medicine you want to report if you had a side effect (for example drowsiness or nausea) - it will give you advice on what you should do.

You can also read a list of reported side effects.