If You Are Currently Taking 5 or More Regular Medications, this report should interest you.Research carried out by the University of Sydney highlights the importance of home medication reviews (HMRs). Speaking to Pharmacy eNews, co-author and senior lecturer in pharmacy practice Dr Tim Chen said the results emphasised the important role pharmacists play in ensuring continuity of care for patients moving through the health care system.
The study published in analysed HMR reports for 76 patients after discharge from hospital and identified a total of 398 drug-related problems for 71 of these patients. Of these problems, 128 were caused by uncertainty about the reason the medicine was prescribed.
Eighty-nine potential drug interactions were also identified through HMRs and 60 adverse reactions were noted.
“It emphasises the important professional role which pharmacists do and should play in following up patients as they move through the different parts of the health care system,” Dr Chen said.
The study found HMRs provided continuity of care and an opportunity for medication reconciliation which revealed marked differences in number of drugs being used, between hospital discharge and medicines review.
The patients’ uncertainty about their drugs and their diverse range of co-morbidities indicated the need for timely counselling by pharmacists in the community, the authors said.
“It [the study] serves to underscore the importance of conducting medication reviews and having a comprehensive medication reconciliation process as patients move through the health care system.
“What’s needed from this is the timely, accurate transfer of health information, which includes medicine information, medication lists and medication regimen data,” Dr Chen said.
Source: Nick O’Donoghue,,Pharmacy eNEWS, 2 JULY, 2010
Medication Reviews Assist You to Manage Your Medicines Better
Home Medication Review (HMR) assist people of any age to manage their medicines better.
A HMR is a consumer-focused, structured and collaborative health care service provided in the community setting, to optimise quality use of medicines and consumer understanding.
The HMR process utilises the specific knowledge and expertise of each of the health care professionals involved. In collaboration with the GP, a pharmacist comprehensively reviews the patient's medication regimen in a home visit. After discussion of the visit findings and report with the pharmacist, the GP and patient agree on a medication management plan. The patient is central in the development and implementation of this plan with their GP.
In Australia, accredited pharmacists conducting HMRs are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing as part of the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement.
There is no such funding mechanism in our country, as yet.
Nevertheless, The ZestzfulnessTeam regularly conducts medication reviews for interested individuals to maximise their benefit from their medication regimen, and prevent medication-related problems.
If you are using multiple medications, having difficulty managing your medication, or have been recently discharged from hospital or other care facility, you may benefit from a Medication Review by The ZestzfulnessTeam at Vera Pharmacal, Hoewell Pharma and KH Hoe Pharmacal.
What is required for a medication review
- All the medicines you are taking, including prescription medicine, over the counter and complementary medicines.
- Dosage instructions if not printed on the medicines container
- Laboratory reports, copy of prescriptions
- Name and address of your doctors, both general practitioners and specialists
Some of the benefits of a Medication Review
For the General Practitioner:
- Comprehensive, up-to-date information about all the medicines, complementary products, devices and other prescriptions being used by your patients.
- MR reinforces the medication related advice(s) given by you to your patients.
For YOU as the Patient:
- SUPPORT: Assistance with medications/aids/devices to improve compliance and early detection and management of medicine-related problems.
- EDUCATION: MR helps you to understand your medicines better and enhances your ability to manage your medicines appropriately.
Medication misadventure – any event associated with the administration of medication that results in an unexpected or undesirable result
Medication error – any preventable event occurring from the inappropriate use of medication that has the potential to cause harm
Adverse drug event – an injury to the patient resulting from the use of medication
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