Sometimes, the most convenient way to get a medicines check-up is when a person is visiting the Pharmacy. Kersbrook Pharmacy provides a specialised service called MedsCheck – this is a free service provided in a private area in the pharmacy, where a specially qualified pharmacist helps a person by providing a comprehensive review of all medicines taken, supplying education and tools that can be used at home for self-management. The MedsCheck addresses some important issues, in many ways similar to those that can be addressed in a Home Medicines Review (click here for more information about MHR). The Medscheck service aims to help people identify issues and problems with their medicines, educate people about their medical conditions and the treatment of these, and to generally get the best out of their of medicines. The pharmacist will also provide advice and information about how to store medicines safely and in a way that makes sure that they remain effective. For people with diabetes, an additional service called a Diabetes MedsCheck is available. As well as dealing with the medications, this service also addresses diabetes monitoring and covers other aspects of self-management such as diet, exercise and referrals for testing.
Only approved pharmacies like Kersbrook Pharmacy can provide MedsChecks, and to do so they need to meet strict standards. The rules for accessing the free service are simple: to do so, you need to hold a Medicare and/or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card and be at home in a community setting. You can access the service if you are taking five or more prescription medicines or, have had a recent significant medical event (this can be as simple as an event such as a fall, or recent admission to hospital), or a new diagnosis that can change your medicine usage, You may also be eligible if you are taking a medicine with significant side effects – you can talk to the pharmacist in store to confirm your eligibility.
Remember, the pharmacist is always available to speak to you about your medication-related needs and health issues. The MedsCheck is a way for you to book in to see the pharmacist for a dedicated conversation and discussion about your medications and to access high quality information and education will help you to use your medicines to your best advantage. If any specific or merchant problems are identified during the course of the MedsCheck the pharmacist will take prompt action to contact your GP and make arrangements to address these. In many cases, the more like the outcome is that the pharmacist will provide some feedback to you and also to your treating doctor and provide you with some written information about the medications you are taking. You can always follow up a MedsCheck later, the next time you’re in the pharmacy. Click here to get more information about using the MedsCheck service the next time you are at Kersbrook Pharmacy.