What is a medication review?

A medication review is a structured conversation with a pharmacist about the medicines you use.

It gives you an opportunity to understand what each medicine is for, how to take it correctly and whether there are any potential problems that should be discussed with your doctor.

What does a medication review cover?

Your pharmacist may review:

• Prescription medicines
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamins and supplements
• Herbal or complementary products
• Allergies and previous medicine reactions
• How and when you take each medicine
• Possible side effects or interactions
• Difficulties opening, swallowing or remembering medicines
• Recent changes following a hospital visit

The pharmacist may also identify duplicate medicines, confusing instructions or practical ways to make your medicine routine easier.

A medication review does not mean that your pharmacist will independently change medicines prescribed by your doctor. Where a change may be worth considering, the pharmacist can discuss it with you and, with your consent, communicate with your prescriber.

Who may benefit from a review?

A review may be particularly helpful if you:

• Take several medicines
• Have recently started or changed treatment
• Have recently left hospital
• See more than one doctor or specialist
• Experience possible side effects
• Sometimes miss or confuse doses
• Use prescription, non-prescription and complementary medicines together
• Care for someone who takes multiple medicines

You do not need to wait until something goes wrong. A review can also provide reassurance that your medicine routine is understood and manageable.

What should I bring?

Bring an up-to-date list—or the actual containers—of everything you take. Include prescription medicines, pharmacy medicines, vitamins, supplements, creams, inhalers, injections and herbal products.

It can also help to bring:

• Your Medicare and concession cards
• Recent hospital discharge information
• A list of allergies
• Any questions or concerns
• Details of medicines you have stopped recently

Types of medication review

Different services may be available depending on your needs and eligibility.

An in-pharmacy review may focus on helping you understand and manage your medicines. A Home Medicines Review is a more comprehensive service that generally involves referral from a doctor and a pharmacist visiting you at home.

During a Home Medicines Review, the pharmacist reviews your medicines and provides information and recommendations to help you and your healthcare team develop a medicine-management plan.

Ask your pharmacist which service may be suitable and whether eligibility requirements or fees apply.

Book a medication review

Speak with the House of Pharmacy team if you have questions about your medicines or would like to arrange a review.

Book a medication review
Talk to a pharmacist

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Do not stop, start or change a medicine without speaking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Further information: Australian Government Department of Health — Home Medicines Review