Medication Reviews
Medication Reviews
Medication reviews are a vital part of patient care within the UK healthcare system, particularly in General Practice and Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
The goal of these reviews is to ensure that patients are taking the most appropriate medicines, at the correct doses, and for the right reasons.
Medication reviews not only enhance patient safety and wellbeing, but also improve the effectiveness of treatments, reduce unnecessary prescriptions, and help prevent adverse drug reactions.
Medication reviews are a crucial part of managing your health, ensuring that you are on the right treatment plan and avoiding any risks associated with improper medication use.
With the support of GPs, clinical pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals within Cygnet PCN, you can feel confident that your medications are being carefully monitored and adjusted to suit your needs.
By taking part in regular medication reviews, you play an active role in your healthcare, ensuring better outcomes and safer treatment.
If you think you could benefit from a medication review, you can request one through your GP practice or be referred by your healthcare team. In many cases, GPs or pharmacists will initiate reviews for patients they believe could benefit, especially if there has been a recent change in health status, medications, or following a hospital discharge.
PCN-based pharmacists often work in collaboration with your GP, ensuring that your medications are reviewed in line with the latest clinical guidelines and tailored to your individual needs.
If you have any questions about your medications, speak to your GP or pharmacist to arrange a review.
Our Aims- Benefit patients with complex needs, and their carers, who are at risk of unwarranted health outcomes by enabling them to stay healthier for longer, with maintained or improved functional ability and enjoy positive experiences of proactive, personalised and self-supported care.
- Avoid admission to hospital through unnecessary medicines related harm.
- Reduce overprescribing of medicines and waste
- Integrate pharmacy within wider multi-disciplinary healthcare teams (including community and hospital pharmacy) and improved access to healthcare and outcomes for patients
- maximise its potential to reduce health inequalities
>> OUR PHARMACY TEAMWhat is a Medication Review?
A medication review is a structured, comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s medications. It is typically carried out by a GP, pharmacist, or another qualified healthcare professional. The purpose of the review is to assess how well medications are working for the patient, identify any side effects or interactions, and make necessary adjustments to the medication regimen. This process can involve reviewing prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and any supplements the patient may be taking.
There are different types of medication reviews:
- Level 1: Prescription Review
This focuses on the technical accuracy of prescriptions, ensuring that they are up-to-date and appropriate for the patient’s condition. - Level 2: Treatment Review
A more detailed review of the patient’s medication in relation to their specific health needs, often involving patient consultations to assess how well the treatment is working. - Level 3: Clinical Medication Review
A full, holistic review that considers not only the medication but also the overall health and lifestyle of the patient. This type of review is typically more common in patients with multiple long-term conditions.
Why Are Medication Reviews Important?
Medication reviews are essential for ensuring that a patient's treatment plan remains safe, effective, and tailored to their current health needs. These reviews are particularly important for:
- Patients on multiple medications:
Many patients, especially those with long-term conditions or elderly patients, take several medications. A review ensures that none of these drugs interact harmfully and that each medication is still necessary. - Improving adherence:
Regular reviews provide an opportunity to discuss how the patient is managing their medicines. Sometimes, patients struggle with taking their medicines correctly, and a review can identify barriers to adherence and provide solutions. - Preventing harm:
Ensuring that a patient’s medications are appropriate and taken correctly helps prevent adverse drug reactions and medication-related hospital admissions. - Cost-effectiveness:
Medication reviews also help healthcare providers identify and discontinue unnecessary treatments, improving the cost-effectiveness of care
Additionally, the Anticipatory Care programme promotes the welfare and development of staff by fostering supportive, flexible working environments. This enables healthcare teams to deliver better care through up-to-date knowledge, skills, and resources.
How Medication Reviews Work in PCNs
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) have significantly enhanced the capacity for medication reviews by expanding the role of clinical pharmacists. In each PCN, a team of pharmacists works across several GP practices, focusing on optimising medicine use and providing expert advice to both patients and clinicians. This collaborative model means that patients can benefit from specialist knowledge in managing complex medication regimens, particularly those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or respiratory illnesses.
Key aspects of medication reviews in PCNs:
- Pharmacist-led reviews:
Pharmacists in PCNs work closely with GPs and healthcare professionals to conduct detailed medication reviews, focusing on patient safety and the effectiveness of prescribed medicines. - Holistic patient care:
PCN pharmacists often perform reviews that go beyond the medications themselves, addressing lifestyle, diet, and other factors that could influence treatment outcomes. - Improving patient outcomes:
By reviewing medications regularly, PCNs aim to reduce hospital admissions due to medication errors or side effects and ensure that treatments are optimised for the best possible health outcomes.
Who Can Benefit from a Medication Review?
Medication reviews are particularly beneficial for:
- Patients with long-term conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, where ongoing medication is required.
- Patients taking multiple medications (polypharmacy), especially those who are older or have complex health conditions.
- Patients who have experienced side effects or are struggling to take their medications as prescribed.
- Patients recently discharged from hospital, ensuring that their medications are still appropriate following their treatment.
Benefits of Medication Reviews
- Safety:
Ensuring that all medications prescribed are necessary and not causing harmful side effects. - Effectiveness:
Making sure that each medication is working as intended and providing the desired health benefits. - Cost-efficiency:
Identifying any medications that are no longer required, reducing unnecessary costs. - Personalised care:
Tailoring medications to the patient's current health needs, improving adherence and overall satisfaction with treatment
