The Home Medicines Review (HMR) is a Medicare funded service. It involves an accredited pharmacist visiting you at home to review your current medications and to make sure you are taking them correctly. This can help to ensure you are getting the full benefit from the medications your doctor has prescribed and can help to prevent medication-related problems.
The review involves your GP and pharmacist, and sometimes other relevant members of the health care team, such as a community nurse or carer. Your GP can provide a referral for a HMR. The referral may be to a local pharmacist, a private pharmacist of your choice, or one that your doctor recommends.
The pharmacist visits you at home and reviews your current medications. They will look at everything you are taking, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and vitamins and supplements. They will check that you are taking each medication correctly and at the right times. They will check for any interactions between medications, or between medications and supplements, and will suggest whether any medications could be changed. They will also show you how to store medications properly and make sure they have not passed their expiry date. The pharmacist can also show you how to use and look after any medical devices you need, such as blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors or inhalers.
The pharmacist will write a report and send this to your GP. Your GP will then discuss this report with you, and together you will agree on a Medication Management Plan. You can share this plan with any other healthcare providers you see.
You are eligible for an HMR if:
you hold a Medicare or DVA card
you are living in a community setting (including at home, in a group home, assisted living facility or long-term care facility)
you are at risk of or have experienced problems with your medications
your doctor confirms that there is a need for the service
You, or someone you care for, may benefit from a HMR if the person:
is taking five or more regular medications
takes medications that can have serious interactions with other medications
has had significant changes to their medications in the last 3 months, including after a recent discharge from hospital
is taking medications that require regular monitoring
is feeling unwell after taking medications
is confused or had problems remembering to take their medications
has difficulty managing their own medications because of literacy, language difficulties or impaired sight
There is no fee for a HMR but you may need to pay to see your GP for a referral and to discuss the report from your pharmacist and develop your Medication Management Plan.
For more information:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/home-medicines-review
References:
https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/medication_management_reviews.htm
