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National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day

An awareness observance on March 24 raising awareness about adverse drug events, including medication errors, side effects, and overdoses, to promote reporting, prevention, and medication safety.

Wednesday

March 2027

Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEMarch 24

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYHealth Conditions

ORIGIN

Institutional Initiative

FOUNDING ENTITY

American Society of Pharmacovigilance

FIRST OBSERVED

2021

HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

The American Society of Pharmacovigilance (ASP) created National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day in February 2021, declaring March 24 as the annual observance. The first official announcement was made on March 24, 2021, to spark national discussion on adverse drug events as a leading cause of death.

View Official Announcementvia stopadr.org

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to raise awareness about adverse drug events on National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day, which takes place on March 24! This day was established in 2005 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a way to educate the public about the potential risks and dangers of medication. It's also a time to honor and support those who have been affected by these events, whether it be through prevention or treatment. Let's come together and spread the word about this important issue and work towards creating a safer and healthier society.

TIMELINE

National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day Timeline

Thalidomide Tragedy

The Thalidomide tragedy led to stricter drug regulations worldwide after around 10,000 children were born with severe deformities due to the drug.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting

FDA established the Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), a database that contains information on adverse event and medication error reports submitted to FDA.

"To Err is Human" Report

The Institute of Medicine's "To Err is Human" report spotlighted medical errors, including adverse drug events, as a significant cause of death in the US.

National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day Establishment

The CDC established National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day to educate the public about potential risks and dangers of medication.

CDC Launches PROTECT Initiative

The CDC's PROTECT initiative seeks to advance coordinated, multisector efforts to prevent unintentional medication overdoses in children.

COVID-19 and Hydroxychloroquine

Increased public awareness of adverse drug events following widespread use and subsequent safety concerns about Hydroxychloroquine as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day

Host a medication safety seminar

Gather friends and family to learn more about the importance of medication safety and how to prevent adverse drug events. Invite a healthcare professional to speak and provide helpful tips for staying safe while taking medications.

CREATE

Create a social media campaign

Spread awareness about National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day by creating a social media campaign. Share information and statistics about adverse drug events and encourage others to join in on the conversation using a designated hashtag.

ORGANIZE

Organize a medication review day

Partner with a local pharmacy or healthcare facility to offer free medication reviews on National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day. This will give individuals the opportunity to discuss their medications with a professional and potentially identify any potential adverse drug events.

CREATE

Create a medication safety pledge

Design and distribute a medication safety pledge for individuals to sign and commit to taking their medications safely. This can be a fun and interactive way to raise awareness and promote responsible medication use.

DONATE

Donate to a medication safety organization

Consider making a donation to an organization that focuses on promoting medication safety and preventing adverse drug events. This is a great way to support the cause and make a positive impact on the community.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day is Important

It advocates for improved safety and regulation

It raises awareness about adverse drug events

National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day brings attention to the harmful effects of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. By highlighting these issues, more people will be informed and hopefully take necessary precautions to prevent these events from happening.

It promotes education and prevention

With more awareness comes more education on how to prevent adverse drug events. National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day encourages individuals to learn about their medications, potential side effects, and proper usage in order to minimize risks and avoid unnecessary harm.

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