Free Medicine Use Review

A medicines use review is an appointment with one of our Pharmacists to focus on how you are getting on with your medicines. It is an NHS service and you don’t need to pay for it. Meet with our Pharmacist to talk about:

• The medicines you are taking
• What they do
• How well they work for you
• How to get the most out of them

The meeting is to:

• Help you find out more about the medicines you are taking
• Pick up on any problems you are having with your medicines
• Improve the effectiveness of your medicines. There may be easier ways to take them, or you may find you need fewer medicines than before.
• Get better value from the NHS. Making sure that your medicines are right for you prevents unnecessary waste.
• Our Pharmacist will have questions to ask you, and may suggest changes to your medicines. You may have concerns or questions that you want to ask. You can ask anything at all about your medicines.

Remember you can ask our Pharmacist questions at any time, but a review will give you and us both more time to concentrate on you and your medicines.

How you may be offered a review:

Our Pharmacist might invite you for a review either in person or in a letter through the post.

You can also ask our Pharmacist for a review. You must have been getting your prescriptions from us for three months or more.

Is a medicines use review for you?

You can ask for a medicines use review if:

• You are regularly taking more than one prescription medicine
• You are taking medicines for a long term illness (like asthma, arthritis, diabetes or epilepsy)

Even if you are not in either of these groups, you can ask our Pharmacist for advice at any time.

If there is an urgent problem with medicines, don’t wait for a medicines use review. If you or somebody else, notice one of the things on this list, don’t delay:

• If you have taken too much of any medicine
• If you have an allergic reaction to a new medicine (such as wheezing, rash, swelling or fainting)
• If you notice a serious side effect or any unusual symptoms
• If you notice your health getting worse in any of these cases, talk to a Doctor or Pharmacist straight away.

What you can expect in the review meeting

Our Pharmacists have undergone special training and have been assessed to make sure they have the right knowledge and skills to provide this confidential service.

We have private consultation rooms in our Pharmacies where you sit down together with the Pharmacist and can’t be overheard by customers or staff. Your details and your discussion will be kept private. You can talk openly and your questions or worries will be listened to. We will be ready to hear your concerns and your questions. You can be open with us and say whatever you want in these meetings. Our Pharmacists will only know about medicines that you have received from our Pharmacy. We will not have a record of prescriptions you may have picked up from another Pharmacy. We will not have your medical history or details about your illness. So it’s important to tell us as much as you can.

What happens afterwards?

Everything may be okay with your medicines and nothing else will need to happen. You will be given an Action Plan which will include any changes you have agreed in the way you take your medicines. This will be filled in by our Pharmacist during the review. A copy of the Action Plan will go to your Doctor and be kept with your medical notes. Our Pharmacist may recommend a change to your prescription. You will have a note of this in the Action Plan. Both you and your Doctor will need to agree on any changes to your prescription, so you may be asked to make an appointment with your Doctor to discuss these. No changes will be made against your will.

Questions you may want to ask

• What does this medicine do?
• Why is it important that I take this medicine?
• Are there any other treatment options?
• When and how should I take it?
• How long should I take it for?
• What other medicines, drinks, foods or activities should I be aware of when I am taking this medicine?
• What should I do if I don’t feel well while taking it?
• How do I know it’s helping?
• How can I be sure it’s safe for me to take?
• What are the possible risks and side effects?
• What should I do if I get one of these effects?
• Could another medicine do a better job, with less risk?
• What if I stopped taking it, or took a lower dose?
• Will the medicine build up in my body?
• Do I really need to take these medicines?
• Is there anything that can help to remind me to take my medicines?
• Can I have containers that are easier to open?
• Could you provide the patient information leaflet in larger print?
• Where can I go for more information?

To find out more about this service simply contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions that you might have.