Home Medication Reviews: Making Sure Your Medicines Are Working Safely Together

Taking medication can become a normal part of everyday life, particularly as we get older or manage one or more ongoing health conditions. You might take a tablet for blood pressure, another for cholesterol, something for diabetes and perhaps a few other medicines for different health concerns.

Over time, however, your medications can change.

A new medicine may be added. Another may be stopped. Your dose might change. You may have seen a specialist who prescribed something different, or you may have recently left hospital with a new medication list.

When several healthcare professionals are involved in your care, it can sometimes become difficult to keep track of everything.

This is where a Home Medicines Review (HMR) can be helpful.

What Is a Home Medicines Review?

A Home Medicines Review is a structured review of the medicines you are taking, usually involving your GP and an appropriately accredited pharmacist.

The pharmacist reviews your medicines with you, often in your home, and looks at how you are using them, whether you understand what they are for and whether there may be medication-related issues that need to be discussed with your GP.

The aim is simple: to help you use your medicines safely and effectively.

The Australian Government describes Home Medicines Reviews as a service designed to help people better understand and manage their medicines while minimising harm.

A Domiciliary Medication Management Review (DMMR) is the Medicare terminology used for this type of review. Under current Medicare arrangements, a GP or other eligible medical practitioner refers the patient to a pharmacist for the review.

Why Might You Need a Medication Review?

Taking multiple medicines does not necessarily mean there is a problem. Many people need several medications to manage their health effectively.

The important thing is making sure that your medication list remains appropriate as your health changes.

Your GP may consider a medication review if:

• You take several prescription medicines

• Your medications have recently changed

• You have recently been discharged from hospital

• You see several different doctors or specialists

• You are experiencing possible side effects

• You are unsure what one or more medicines are for

• You sometimes forget to take your medicines

• You are having difficulty managing your medication schedule

• You use prescription medicines alongside over-the-counter medicines

• You take vitamins, supplements or complementary medicines

• You are concerned that some of your medicines may interact

These are not the only reasons a review may be useful.

Sometimes, simply feeling unsure about your medications is a good reason to speak with your GP.

Why Can Medication Lists Become Complicated?

It is surprisingly easy for a medication list to become outdated.

For example, you may have started a medication several years ago. Since then, another doctor may have prescribed something new. You may have stopped taking an older medicine, but it could still appear on an electronic medication list.

You might also have medicines stored at home that you take only when needed.

This can make it difficult for you and your healthcare team to have a complete picture of what you are actually taking.

A medication review provides an opportunity to go through everything carefully.

This can include prescription medicines, medicines purchased from a pharmacy or supermarket, vitamins, supplements and other products you use regularly.

What Happens During a Home Medicines Review?

If your GP believes you may benefit from a Home Medicines Review, they can discuss the process with you and arrange an appropriate referral.

An accredited pharmacist will then review your medicines with you.

Depending on your circumstances, the pharmacist may ask questions such as:

• What medicines are you currently taking?

• What do you understand each medicine is for?

• How and when do you take them?

• Do you sometimes miss doses?

• Have you noticed any side effects?

• Do you have difficulty swallowing or using any medicines?

• Are you taking any vitamins or supplements?

• Have any of your medicines recently changed?

• Do you have concerns about your current treatment?

The pharmacist can also look at how your medicines are stored and used in your home.

This can be particularly useful because it gives the pharmacist an opportunity to see the medicines you actually have rather than relying only on a written medication list.

It's About More Than Checking Tablets

A medication review is not simply about counting how many tablets you take.

It is also about understanding how your medicines fit into your everyday life.

Perhaps you have difficulty remembering a lunchtime dose. Maybe you are unsure whether a medicine should be taken with food. You may be taking two medicines at different times and finding the schedule difficult to manage.

These practical issues can be important.

The pharmacist can discuss your concerns and identify questions or potential issues that may need to be taken back to your GP.

Research published by the RACGP has found that patients can benefit from increased understanding of their medicines and a more comprehensive view of their medication regimen when a Home Medicines Review is carried out effectively.

What Happens After the Review?

The pharmacist prepares a report for the referring GP.

The report may include observations about your current medicines and recommendations for consideration.

Your GP can then discuss these recommendations with you and decide whether any changes are appropriate.

It is important to remember that a pharmacist's recommendation does not automatically mean that your medication will be changed.

Your GP considers the recommendations alongside your medical history, health conditions, test results, treatment goals and other relevant information.

Any medication changes should be discussed with your healthcare professional rather than made independently.

Home Medicines Reviews Can Be Particularly Helpful After Hospitalisation

Leaving hospital can be a confusing time.

Your medication list may look different from the one you were using before admission. New medicines may have been started, doses may have changed and some medicines may have been stopped.

You may also have instructions from the hospital, your GP and other healthcare professionals.

Making sure everyone is working from an accurate and up-to-date medication list is an important part of safe ongoing care.

A medication review can help identify differences between what has been prescribed and what you are actually taking.

RACGP guidance recommends regular review of medicines in community care and notes that a Home Medicines Review can be considered when a comprehensive medication review cannot be incorporated into a standard GP consultation.

Don't Forget Your Vitamins and Supplements

When talking about your medicines, it is important to mention everything you take.

This includes:

• Vitamins

• Mineral supplements

• Herbal products

• Over-the-counter pain relief

• Cold and flu medicines

• Sleep products

• Medicines you take only occasionally

People sometimes assume that products purchased without a prescription do not need to be mentioned to their doctor.

It is still useful for your healthcare team to know what you are taking so they can consider your complete medication picture.

What Are the Benefits of a Home Medicines Review?

A well-conducted medication review can help you understand your medicines and feel more confident about managing them.

It may help identify:

• Medicines that may no longer be required

• Potential medication-related problems

• Possible side effects

• Difficulties with taking medicines correctly

• Confusion about medication instructions

• Differences between medication lists

• Opportunities to simplify medication routines

• Questions that should be discussed with your GP

The review can also improve communication between you, your GP and pharmacist.

The goal is not necessarily to reduce the number of medicines you take. The goal is to make sure the medicines you are taking are appropriate for your individual health needs.

Who Can Benefit From a Home Medicines Review?

A Home Medicines Review can be particularly useful for people who take multiple medicines or whose medication needs have changed.

Older adults, people managing several chronic health conditions and people who have recently experienced changes in their healthcare may benefit from having their medicines reviewed.

However, age alone does not determine whether a review is appropriate.

Your GP can discuss your individual circumstances and determine whether a Home Medicines Review may be suitable for you.

Take an Active Role in Your Medicines

Your medicines are an important part of your healthcare, but you should not feel that you need to manage everything on your own.

If you are unsure about a medicine, have concerns about side effects or simply cannot remember what each medication is for, speak with your GP or pharmacist.

Do not stop prescription medicines suddenly or change your dose without discussing it with your healthcare professional.

A medication review can give you an opportunity to ask questions and make sure you understand your treatment.

Talk to Classic Way Family Practice

At Classic Way Family Practice, we understand that managing several medicines can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Our doctors can review your current medications, discuss any concerns you have and determine whether a Home Medicines Review may be appropriate for you.

Working together with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals can help ensure your medication management remains connected to your overall healthcare.

If your medications have changed recently, you are taking several medicines or you simply want to better understand your treatment, speak with our team.

Contact Classic Way Family Practice

If you have questions about your medicines, medication management or whether a Home Medicines Review may be suitable for you, the team at Classic Way Family Practice is here to support you.

Classic Way Family PracticePhone: (07) 5568 0600Email: [email protected]

Address: 2/6 Classic Way, Burleigh Waters QLD 4220

Opening Hours Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday & Public Holidays: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Contact our friendly reception team to make an appointment and discuss your medication management needs.