This Medicines Safety Week, we’re reflecting on how small changes can make a big difference in supporting people to use eczema medicines safely and effectively.
Earlier this year, we were proud to see the outcome from driving major change in topical steroid labelling in the UK, making it clearer and easier to understand the strength of medicines used to treat eczema. After years of campaigning alongside healthcare professionals and the eczema community, topical steroids are now labelled ‘mild,’ ‘moderate,’ ‘strong,’ or ‘very strong’, helping people use these treatments safely and with confidence.
This change was driven by you — the eczema community — who shared your experiences and helped us demonstrate why clear, accessible information is essential for safe self-management.
As part of Medicines Safety Week, we’re reminding everyone that understanding your treatments is key to managing eczema well. Whether it’s knowing the strength of your topical steroid, storing your emollients safely, or understanding when to use each treatment, being informed helps you take control of your skin health.
If you ever experience an unexpected side effect or reaction to your eczema medication, you can play an important role in improving medicines safety by reporting it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. These reports help regulators monitor the safety of medicines and ensure important updates are made when needed.
We’ll continue working with healthcare professionals, regulators, and our community to make eczema information clearer, safer, and more accessible for everyone.
You can read more about the topical steroid labelling change and what it means for you here.