Social media started off as a novelty technology which was adopted by the youth market to connect with friends, share photos, opinions and information. As social media became more established it gained credibility among the establishment and now, here we are, hearing that the MHRA are considering using it to report on drug reactions.

Although this technological progression from radical fringe to mainstream is nothing new, the timespan from novelty to credibility is much shorter as technology, with the advent of the internet, advances at an ever-increasingly blistering pace.

Think about how long it took for the NHS to consider adopting the telephone to deliver initial diagnostic advice via NHS Direct. Medical advice via the telephone? Outrageous!

The fact that such the MHRA are considering using social media in this way shows the versatility and flexibility of this powerful tool is really exciting.

If it makes drug reaction reporting simpler then new drugs will be safer, quicker. It won’t replace or supersede mainstream quantitative research but it’ll surely complement it and help to give primacy to the voice of the patient.

Lack of imagination is the only remaining limiting factor.