EMA and the national competent authorities are reminding patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to report suspected side effects that they experience with any of the medicines they are taking. This includes medicines to treat COVID-19, as well as medicines taken by patients to manage long-term, pre-existing conditions. It also includes medicines that patients might be using off-label to treat COVID-19.

Patients are reminded that there are currently no medicines authorised to treat COVID-19. However, in the context of the pandemic, several treatments authorised for other diseases are being used in patients with COVID-19.

Patient reporting complements the information received from healthcare professionals who have continued to report suspected patient side effects with medicines taken during the pandemic.

Understanding of the new virus is still incomplete, including possible interactions with medicines patients might be taking. By reporting suspected side effects of medicines used in the context of COVID-19, patients and healthcare professionals can help gather valuable evidence to inform decisions on the safe and effective use of medicines as the pandemic evolves.

Information provided by patients and healthcare professionals through their reports will add to the knowledge currently being generated through clinical trials and other studies.

The full article can be accessed on the European Medicines Agency website by clicking here. Patients and healthcare professionals are reminded to report suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) using the MMA online reporting portal.