Consumer opinions on adverse events associated with medicines and vaccines.

Introduction: Despite the availability of an Australian consumer adverse event (AE) reporting system for over 50 years, reporting rates remain low. A comprehensive understanding of consumer perceptions and experiences regarding AEs is needed to further ascertain factors impacting their engagement in AE reporting.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore consumer opinions about AEs potentially associated with medicines and vaccines, and their experiences and understanding of managing and reporting AEs.

Consumer opinions on adverse events associated with medical devices.

Introduction: Post-market surveillance of medical devices relies on compulsory and voluntary reports. Although direct consumer reporting of medical device-related adverse events (AEs) is available in Australia, the proportion of consumer reports has remained low. Limited qualitative research has previously explored consumer insights on AEs associated with medical devices and in particular, AE reporting.

Provision of a Medicines Information Service to Consumers on Facebook: An Australian Case Study.

Background: Social networking sites (SNSs) have changed the way people communicate. They may also change the way people seek health advice.

Objective: This study describes the provision of a medicines information service on Facebook to individual consumers.