Awareness of the Black Triangle Scheme among healthcare professionals and consumers in Australia: A mixed‐methods study exploring reporting intentions and suggested improvements

Aims The Black Triangle Scheme, introduced in 2018 in Australia, does not appear to have increased the quantity of adverse drug event (ADE) reports. This study evaluated healthcare professionals' (HCPs') and consumers' awareness of the scheme, its influence on intentions for future ADE reporting, and suggested improvements. Methods A mixed‐methods study was conducted (August–December 2024) consisting of an online questionnaire and follow‐up interviews with HCPs (doctors, pharmacists, nurses) and consumers in Australia. Descriptive and qualitative data analyses were conducted. Results A total of 405 participants completed the questionnaire (138 HCPs, 267 consumers). Half of the HCPs (52%) and a tenth of the consumers (10%) were aware of the scheme. After viewing the symbol, 66.2% reported being likely or very likely to report an ADE linked to a medicine carrying it. Twenty‐one participated in the interviews (11 HCPs, 10 consumers). Interviewees suggested various strategies to improve awareness, including social media, television, posters and printed labels. Most noted that the Black Triangle symbol, in its current form and placement within medicine leaflets, is easy to miss. Once the scheme's purpose was explained, participants described it as “very important” and a “good initiative” to enhance medicine safety. Interview participants expressed mixed views on the scheme's impact on their future ADE reporting. Conclusion Awareness of the scheme was notably lower among consumers than HCPs. Once informed, most participants viewed the scheme favourably and indicated a greater likelihood of reporting. However, issues related to the visibility and meaning of the Black Triangle symbol were raised.