Though drugs go through rigorous testing, not all possible side-effects can be avoided. The European Parliament's Environment Committee today looked into pharmacovigilance: the ways of avoiding as far as possible all unpleasant side-effects.

May result in death

In Europe 197,000 deaths are recorded   each year after taking medicines.

Despite the multitude   of clinical trials held

before new treatments are available,   zero risk cannot be guaranteed.

Side-effects can still be   discovered after a drug goes on sale,

a public health risk that MEPs   are determined to minimise.

Patients, doctors,   and health professionals

are encouraged to report back   what the side-effects are,

and then afterwards   the companies can react

and there’s really a monitoring   on these side-effects,

and they are written   in the package leaflet

Guardians of public health:   Member States will have to boost efforts

to detect and monitor the side-effects   of medicines sold in their countries.

At a European level, we’re trying,   in partnership with the Member States,

to set up a consultative council   that would really have the power

to ban a drug if it posed major concerns.

The EU is envisaging setting   up a specific monitoring committee

It is clear that we’re heading towards   more transparency, and it’s a good thing.

Especially for patients, who will have   access to a Europe-wide internet portal.

Medical leaflets should   contain more information.

These new measures   will be put to a vote this May.