What a medication review in Abermain covers
- possible side effects, and whether something you have noticed could be linked to a medicine
- interactions between medicines, including vitamins and herbal products
- that the dose and the way you take each one match the directions
- any questions or worries you bring with you
This matters most when the list is long. Healthdirect notes that people taking 5 or more medicines daily are more likely to be on medicines that interact, or on two with overlapping effects. It also suggests having your medicines checked ideally every 6 to 12 months, and asking for a review whenever you start or stop one.
Is a medication review right for you?
Ask for one if you take several medicines regularly, or if something has recently been started or changed. It is also worth asking for one when a medicine seems to be causing side effects, when you are no longer sure which tablet is for what, or when you simply want to understand your treatment better.
What to bring: every medicine you currently use, including prescriptions, vitamins and supplements, together with any relevant medical information such as a hospital discharge letter.
MedsCheck and Diabetes MedsCheck
A MedsCheck is a government-funded, in-pharmacy one-on-one discussion and review of your medicines with a pharmacist. Under the MedsCheck program rules, you are eligible if you hold a current Medicare or DVA card, live at home in the community, have not had a MedsCheck, Diabetes MedsCheck, Home Medicines Review or residential review in the previous 12 months, and at least one of these applies:
- you use five or more prescription medicines
- you have recently had a significant medical event, such as a new diagnosis or a change in your health
- you take a medicine associated with a high risk of adverse events
A Diabetes MedsCheck follows the same format but focuses on type 2 diabetes. It is for people diagnosed in the last 12 months, or whose diabetes is less than ideally controlled, who cannot get timely access to diabetes education services locally. Under the same program rules, funded services come at no cost to eligible patients, though medicines themselves are still paid for as usual. Call us on (02) 4930 4442 to check whether you qualify.
Home Medicines Review
A Home Medicines Review is a different service: a credentialed pharmacist visits you at home, and you need a referral from your doctor. The review itself is free, although the GP appointment for the referral may cost you unless it is bulk billed. Afterwards, the pharmacist reports to your doctor, who talks through any suggested changes with you.
Medication review questions
Will the pharmacist change my prescribed medicines?
No. Changes to prescribed medicines are for your doctor to decide, so do not stop or adjust one on your own after a review. Take anything the pharmacist raises to your GP.
What happens if I am not eligible for a funded MedsCheck?
Call us on (02) 4930 4442 and we can talk through the other options, including a Home Medicines Review arranged through your GP.
A review often leads somewhere practical: a free Webster-pak to keep doses in order, or help with repeats through prescriptions and eScripts. Reviews sit within our wider medication management services.
Talk to us about your medicines
Pop in to Abermain Chemist on Cessnock Road with everything you take in a bag, or phone first if you have questions about the service.