NHS Lanarkshire’s Primary Care Pharmacy Team is encouraging local people to make the most of their medicines and attend medication reviews (also called polypharmacy reviews), when invited.
All GP practices in Lanarkshire now have access to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support workers who help with the practice workload and the management of patients’ medication.
Anyone who takes five or more medications regularly is eligible for a medication review with a clinical practice pharmacist. The review is an informal chat which covers:
- knowing what the medicine is for;
- learning about side-effects;
- different medication options; and
- taking charge of their health.
John McMillan, Lead Pharmacist Advanced Clinical Services, South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Medication reviews are really important to make sure the medicines prescribed are still safe and effective.
“Patients can develop side-effects over time and long-term conditions may change, meaning the medication may not be right for them anymore. Patients are involved in all conversations and it is very much a shared decision-making process.”
People who are eligible for a medication review will be contacted by a member of their GP practice team, to arrange an appointment.
