Home Medicine Reviews:

A Home Medicine Review (HMR) is when a pharmacist, on referral from your general practitioner, comes to visit you at home to discuss your medications.

The aim of a HMR is to improve your understanding and management of your medical conditions and medications. Things that the reviewing pharmacist may discuss or address include:

• How and when you take your medications.
• Where you store your medications.
• Check if your medications are in date.
• Check that any over the counter medications or vitamins will not interact with your medications or medical conditions.
• Explain what each medication is for.
• Check that any equipment such as asthma spacers or blood glucose meters are in working order and are being used with correct technique.
• Any other queries you may have in relation to your medications.

The pharmacist then sends a written report back to your general practitioner, who will then discuss any recommendations or findings that may help you manage your medications better.

Typical examples of people that may benefit from a HMR are:

• Those who take 5 or more different medications per day.
• Those who are confused about how to take their medications.
• Those who have little understanding about their conditions & medications.
• Those who see more than one doctor (E.g. each doctor may not be fully aware of what the other has prescribed).
• Those who have had a recent stay in hospital and have had their medications changed.

If you feel you or a loved one may benefit from a Home Medicine Review, discuss this with your general practitioner. You or the person concerned must consent to having the review, and then nominate their local pharmacy of choice to conduct the review.

Kingsley Village Pharmacy has access to a consultant clinical pharmacist who performs our reviews, and writes the report in consultation with the regular dispensing pharmacists.

If you would like any more information on a Home Medicines Review then please contact us.

the Pharmacy Guild of Australia