What happens during a Home Medicine Review?
A Home Medicines Review (HMR), also known as a Medication Management Review, is when an accredited pharmacist checks the medicines you are taking at home.
Taking lots of different medicines or handling someone else's medicines can be complicated. Not taking them properly or mixing the wrong ones can have serious consequences.
A Home Medicines Review makes sure that your medicines are safe, you are taking your medicines correctly and your medicines are working for you.
Your GP will assess your need for a Home Medicines Review. If your GP thinks you will benefit from the service, they will write a referral to a pharmacist.
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Before your Home Medicine Review
Before the pharmacist visits you at home, make sure you gather all the medicines you are taking.
Remember to include:
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your prescription medicines
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any over-the-counter medicines you buy from the chemist, shops or order online
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any vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take
Remember to include your:
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inhalers
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patches
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creams
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eye or ear drops
02
During your Home Medicine Review Visit
The pharmacist will visit you in your home.
They will talk to you about the medicines you are taking. This will include any:
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prescription medicines
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over-the-counter medicines
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vitamins and supplements
The pharmacist will:
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check your medicines haven’t passed their use-by date
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check how you take your medicines
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suggest ways of helping you remember to take the right medicine at the right time
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show you how to store your medicines properly
The pharmacist can also show you how to use and look after any medical devices you might use. For example, inhalers, blood pressure monitors and blood glucose monitors.
03
After your Home Medicine Review
The pharmacist will write a report and send it to your doctor. You should make a follow-up appointment with your doctor after your HMR.
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Your doctor will discuss the report with you and write a plan for managing your medicines. The report might suggest that some of your medicines could be changed.
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Your doctor will talk to you about any changes they make. If you agree, a copy of your plan will be sent to your local community pharmacy. This will help your pharmacy support you with any changes to your medicines.
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After going through the report with you, the doctor will give you a ‘Medication Management Plan’. This should be shared with all your healthcare providers.
Get Started
Ask your GP today if a home medicine review is right for you