Have you ever wondered if you are getting the most out of your medications? Do you ever feel frustrated with managing your medications from morning to night? Are you concerned about whether your medications are right for you? If so, consider making an appointment for a medication review or a personalized one-on-one consultation with your local London Drugs pharmacist, where a plan can be made to address all your medication, lifestyle and health concerns.
Did you know that 1 in 30 patients have a drug-related problem that may cause a current or future health issue? Pharmacists are experts in managing all aspects of your medication regimen and how they impact your everyday life. A medication review is a great way to detect and resolve any drug-related concerns before they become a problem to your health.
Patients often wonder how medication reviews differ from the consultations provided when picking-up medication. Consultations provided during prescription pick-up are focused on ensuring you can take the prescribed medication(s) correctly, as well as knowing when to expect benefits and what side effects to monitor for. Consultations provided during medication reviews are thorough discussions about all your medications, and how they relate to your lifestyle and overall health goals.
During a medication review, your pharmacist will go over every medication that you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, natural health products, and vitamins/supplements, to ensure that they are appropriate, effective and safe. Your pharmacist will also ask questions about your health conditions and lifestyle, in order to tailor advice and information, especially for you. Based on the information collected, your pharmacist will develop a plan to address any problems and/or concerns identified during the medication review. These plans can help you simplify your medication regimen, eliminate unnecessary medications, reduce drug costs, address drug-related side effects, and remove barriers to taking medication through blister-packing, delivery and medication synchronisation services.
At the end of the medication review, your pharmacist will provide you with a document summarising everything that was discussed during the consultation. It will contain an up-to-date medication list and any recommendations that were discussed during the meeting. If necessary, the pharmacist can also communicate any findings to other members of your healthcare team.
Medication reviews are helpful for most patients. However, medication reviews are especially helpful for those who were recently discharged from hospital, receive care from multiple healthcare providers, and/or take prescription medication for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD or mental health. This is because these patients are often at a higher risk of experiencing drug-related problems, and can benefit from increased check-ups to detect and resolve issues before they negatively impact their health. Appointments typically last 30 to 45 minutes and should occur every 6 to 12 months. Follow-ups can be arranged upon request, or if any changes are made to your medications.
Medication reviews are confidential in-person discussions with the patient at the pharmacy, conducted at one of the pharmacy booths or in a consultation room. Some patients also like to have a caregiver or family member present. In some cases, caregivers may be able to come on-behalf of a patient, if they have legal consent or power-of-attorney and sufficient knowledge of the patient’s health concerns. Bring all of your medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, plus any natural health products, and vitamins, and supplements that you take. Some patients have also found it useful to bring a list of questions and concerns to the appointment, as well as laboratory and medical reports that they want to discuss. You are also encouraged to bring any expired medications or drugs that you no longer take so we can safely dispose of them for you.
Book your medication review today! Appointments can be made by calling or visiting your local London Drugs pharmacy, or by requesting an appointment through the London Drugs Pharmacy App. If you have questions about medication reviews or any other pharmacy service, speak to one of our pharmacists anytime.
Medication Reviews in Brief
What is a medication review:
- Thorough consultation with a pharmacist to discuss all medication and health concerns.
Who should have a medication review:
- Patients who take multiple prescription medications
- Patients who were recently discharged from hospital
- Patients who receive care from multiple healthcare providers
- Patients who take over-the-counter medications and/or natural health products
- Patients with chronic diseases
Additional reasons for a medication review:
- You want to simplify your medication regimen
- You want to reduce the amount of money you spend on medication
- You want to feel less overwhelmed by your medicines
- You want to make sure that your medicines are working for you and not causing side effects or other interactions.
Where and when are medication reviews are held:
- They are in-person appointments held at the pharmacy in a semi-private consultation booth or in a private consultation room.
- Appointments typically last 30 to 45 minutes and occur every 6 to 12 months.
- Follow-up appointments are available to check on any changes made at the initial appointment, if there is a change in patient’s medication or health status, or whenever a patient requests.
