The World Health Organisation has urged patients to report suspected medicine side effects, saying such reports help identify potential safety concerns and protect others.

The organisation made the appeal in a public awareness message on Monday. In the message, Shanti Pal of WHO’s Regulation and Safety Unit identified skin rashes, stomach upsets and unusual tiredness as symptoms that could indicate adverse reactions to medicines.

She also said that, although medicines improve health and save lives, they can sometimes cause side effects, emphasising the importance of reporting unexpected reactions.

Ms Pal further explained that reports from patients and healthcare professionals provide practical evidence that helps experts recognise how medicines work and detect potential safety risks.

She said individual reports, when assessed alongside other findings, could help experts detect medicine safety concerns and take appropriate action to protect patients.

“When you report a side effect, you’re doing more than sharing a story; you’re giving experts a valuable piece of the puzzle,” she said.

She urged anyone experiencing suspected side effects to consult healthcare professionals and report them through their national reporting systems.

Ms Pal said such reports could improve medication safety and protect others from potentially harmful reactions.