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Medicine check-ups in your homeMedicine check-ups in your home
Are you (or someone you care for):
- taking more than five medicines?
- not quite sure what each of your medicines is for?
- a bit unsure how or when you should take your medicines?
- having trouble remembering to take your medicines?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might benefit from having a Home Medicines Review.
What is a Home Medicines Review?
A Home Medicines Review (HMR) is a check-up of your medicines by a specially trained pharmacist who visits you in your own home. It is also a chance for you to have a thorough discussion about your medicines to help you better understand them and get the best out of them.
The exact nature of the review will depend on your situation, but it may involve:
- discussing what each medicine is for and when it should be taken
- giving you hints to help you to remember to take your medicines
- answering any questions you may have about your medicines
- checking that any medication equipment, such as an asthma puffer, is working properly
- helping you make a list of all your medicines.
After the visit, the pharmacist will write a report for your GP. If appropriate, the report will include suggestions about ways your medicines could be improved. For example, if you are having trouble remembering to take your medicines, it may recommend that you use a medication organiser.
Who can have a Home Medicines Review?
If your GP thinks a Home Medicines Review would be worthwhile, they will write a referral, which you take (or the doctor sends) to your pharmacy. The pharmacy then arranges for a specially trained pharmacist to visit you and carry out the review.
If you think you (or someone you care for) might benefit from having a Home Medicines Review, talk to your GP or pharmacist about organising one.
How much does it cost?
The pharmacist visit is free as the Government pays the pharmacist to do the Home Medicines Review. The GP visit will be charged or bulk billed as with any other GP visit.
What they said ...‘I wasn’t in favour of it to begin with. I couldn’t see what she could tell me that I didn’t already know, but she did [tell me things I didn’t know], she really did.’ ‘I am more aware now that even small changes can affect the interactions between the medicines. I also take a few herbal medicines so we talked about them too.’ ‘We were so impressed with [name of pharmacist] that we invited her to talk about HMRs at our local Rotary club meeting.’ Campbell Research & Consulting, Home Medicines Review Program Qualitative Research Project Final Report 2008.
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MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.
Date published: 2010-02-01 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.
