MEDICATION REVIEW ASSESSMENT
A structured and comprehensive assessment of a patient’s medications.
Now more than ever, patients are taking control of their health by relying on a pharmacist. Our pharmacists are medication experts and can help you better understand your medications. Accessible and convenient, our pharmacists are available to help you with a variety of clinical pharmacy services, such as Medication Review Assessments.
Our pharmacists have been delivering Medication Reviews since 2011. The service provides you with a one-on-one consultation with a pharmacist in a semi-private area of the pharmacy to discuss your prescription medications, as well as any over-the-counter meds, vitamins and natural health products you may also be taking. Our pharmacist will also provide you with a Best Possible Medication History (BPMH), a form that lists all of your medications. You can use this form as a reminder to take your medications or share it with your family doctor or other health-care professional.
WHY GET A MEDICATION REVIEW?
If you have been prescribed at least five medications in the last six months, you may be at a higher risk of a drug related complication and you may benefit from our Medication Review Services. The aim of the service is to help patients better understand their medications. When you understand your medications – from why you are taking them, when to take them, and how to best take them – you make informed decisions and have greater ownership of your overall health.
IMPROVE YOUR OWN HEALTH
Better knowledge + informed decisions = better overall health
A Medication Review, as compared to usual care can have a positive impact on drug-related outcomes for most patients, such as:
- decrease in the number of drug-related problems,
- positive changes to medication list,
- dosage decreases in current medications,
- medication suggestions for therapies left untreated,
- ensuring lab and bloodwork is current to monitor therapy,
- reviewing refills and renewals.
Medications Reviews hope to have an effect on mortality, hospital admissions/healthcare use, the number of patients falling or physical and cognitive functioning. Pharmacist-led Medication Review have beneficial effects on medical surrogate markers, such as glycemic indices, blood pressure, lipid levels, medication adherence, and resolution of drug-related problems/adverse drug reactions.