Consultant Pharmacist
What is a Home Medication Review or HMR?
A Home Medication Review is a home-visit service, provided by an Accredited Consultant Pharmacist, to improve the patient’s medication therapy and health management.
This is a GP referred service, and is Bulk Billed for ALL Medicare card holders.
The accredited pharmacist will contact the patient to arrange a suitable time to visit the patient in their home (carers are encouraged to be present). They will then, review and address the patient’s medications, medical history, and diet/lifestyle/social factors, ensuring all medications are stored/taken/used as prescribed, and check the accuracy of the patient’s medical & medication records. Patients using medical devices (eg inhalers, glucometers etc) will have their technique & handling reviewed, to ensure drug therapy is optimised.
All this information is necessary for the pharmacist to make the most appropriate recommendations to the GP.
Recommendations may include (but not limited to), de-prescribing medication, increasing/reducing/replacing or adding a medication, medication dosing devices, referral to other Medical & Allied Health services, dietary & lifestyle modifications, daily-living aids, or social/psychological support.
During the visit, the accredited pharmacist will be happy to answer any questions that the patient may have, relating to their medications, health and lifestyle. The accredited pharmacist also provides additional patient education & support, reiterate or review instructions and information that may have been missed on medication taking or device technique, since the diagnosis, or since the medicine was originally prescribed. Immediate or urgent issues (incorrect use or any misunderstandings) of medication therapy can often be addressed during the visit.
Who might benefit from a HMR?
HMRs benefit a wide range of patients and are not limited to high risk patients.
HMRs also benefit those who wish to optimise & improve, and want a better understanding of their current medication & health management.
High risk patients may include, but not limited to, those who:
- use medication devices eg inhalers, glucometers, injectables
- take multiple medications
- have multiple conditions
- take medications with high risk side effect profile, or suspect medication-related effects
- are forgetful, confused, or have cognitive impairment
- require assistance with managing their medicines/health conditions
- have recently been admitted to hospital
- regularly take complementary or Over-the-Counter medications and supplements/products
- are not responding well to their medications
- have sub-optimal symptom control
- see a number of doctors, specialists, or health care professionals
- have fragmented health records, health information, or health care
- wish to reduce or simplify the number of medications they take
If you think that you, or someone you know, may benefit from a HMR Home Medication Review, please speak to one of our Doctors.