Help with Medicines
22/03/2006

Many people, particularly those who are older, take a number of different prescription medicines. Although these can prevent or reduce the symptoms of some serious diseases, there can also be problems when they are prescribed or taken. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists are increasingly working together to ensure that patients with medicines management problems receive appropriate advice and practical assistance.

The Northern Board has had a leading role in establishing a new medication review scheme across Northern Ireland. The service, called “Managing Your Medicines”, is available from a network of participating community pharmacies and complements the general advice given to patients about their dispensed medicines.

The scheme is intended mainly for patients who may be at particular risk, such as those living alone or who have been discharged recently from hospital on changed medication. Patients with chronic heart or circulatory problems are also eligible. The aim is to assist them in taking their medicines properly by improving their knowledge of the treatment and providing other practical help.

The scheme involves a detailed interview with the pharmacist, for which the patient is asked to bring along all the prescribed medicines being taken. The pharmacist checks the medication against the records held in the pharmacy or provided by the GP (with the patient’s consent). Questions are asked to identify information needs or any practical problems which the patient may have in taking the medicines. The pharmacist also enquires about non-prescription remedies being taken and any possible side effects.

A summary of points from the interview is sent to the patient’s GP for information. The follow-up action may include changes to the medicines labeling, containers or directions. Reminder cards or further advice about the treatment may also be provided. The patient is asked to return to the pharmacy within three months to check progress.

More than three hundred and fifty patients have been reviewed under the scheme so far and reaction has been very positive. In addition to benefiting individual patients, it is hoped that the advice will reduce pressure on the Health Service by avoiding some unnecessary GP consultations or hospital admissions.

The Northern Health and Social Services Board recently organised a workshop for pharmacists providing the service. During the course of the evening, three local pharmacists outlined their experiences in reviewing the medicines which their patients were taking and helping to reduce problems with their administration.

Mrs Wanda Brownlee, whose mother has received advice under the scheme, provided an insight to the benefits for patients and carers. She said that the pharmacist’s advice was extremely helpful for people taking a lot of medicines for different conditions.