Medicine Management

Clinical Pharmacists

Our PCN has a team of skilled clinical pharmacists to support the healthcare team and our patients. Our senior pharmacists have been working in GP settings for many years and are able to manage many chronic diseases and medication-related matters.

More recently, we have recruited a team of pharmacists who work across Harpenden Health PCN. They have a wide range of experience from hospital and community settings and are skilled in medicine management. They are currently developing and extending their roles into many clinical areas.

We can support you with: 

• Discuss with people the medications they are taking for one or more long-term conditions such as asthma or diabetes to make sure they are working for them. They may also provide lifestyle advice to help manage these conditions.
• Discuss side effects associated with medications that a person may be taking, working with the individual to find a solution such as changing the medication or dosage.
• Undertake structured medication reviews for people who are taking multiple medications concurrently in practices, care homes and residential settings. The aim of these medication reviews is to review all a person’s medications, discuss how they are working and carry out health checks and make changes to medications or dosages where appropriate.
• If medications have been changed following a stay in hospital, the pharmacy team can help implement and explain these changes, ensuring the person gets the maximum benefit from them.
• Ensure medication safety for people on high-risk medications.
• Develop medication protocols and guidelines for the PCN practices, improving prescribing value and quality.
• Provide educational training and mentorship to peers and wider healthcare teams.

Structured Medication Review with a Clinical Pharmacist

The purpose of this medication review is to help you get the best from your medication, to help you understand your medicines, and for you to have the opportunity to ask about them. Our Clinical pharmacists are health professionals who train for many years to become specialists in medicines. They work directly with you as part of the GP team, to make sure your medicines help you to get better and stay well.

At the review, our clinical pharmacist will check that your medicines are working well for you and that you are not having any problems with them. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions about your medicines and, if there is a need for any changes, you will have the opportunity to discuss the right course of action for you.

The following information will help you find out more about the medication review process and how to prepare for it.

When attending for your review, we would also ask that you have to hand all your medicines (which may include tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, ointments and inhalers). Please include prescribed medication as well as any herbal medicines or medicines that you buy over the counter from the chemist or supermarket.

What is a medication review? 

• A medication review is a private, confidential meeting between you and a clinical pharmacist working at your doctor’s surgery, to discuss your medicines. 
• The aim of the medication review is to check that you are prescribed the most appropriate medicines and that you get the best out of those medicines.  
• Tests may be made to determine whether the medicine is working (e.g. blood pressure checks). Monitoring may be necessary for the type of medication that you are on.  
• You will be asked how you are getting on with your medicines; so inform us of any problems you may be experiencing with your medicines.  
• You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your medicines.  
• If any changes need to be made to your medication, your agreement will be sought before changes are made.  

Preparing for your medication review 

• Mark the date and time of the appointment and who you are going to see for the medication review in your diary or calendar.  
• Make a list or have in front of you all the medication that you take. This includes:  
• Any medicines that are prescribed for you.   
• Any medicines that you buy over the counter from the chemist or supermarket or other stores e.g. herbal medicines, vitamins etc.  
• Any medicines that you no longer take. NB: If you are not able to or haven’t managed to make a medication list, bring all your medicines to the medication review meeting.  
• Make a list of questions that you may have about your medicines. Some questions that you may wish to consider:  
• Why is it important to take this medicine(s)?  
• When and how to take the medicine(s)?  
• How long is the medicine(s) to be taken for?  
• How do I know the medicine is working?  
• What should I do if I have problems with the medicine?  
• Are there any medicines or food that I should avoid taking whilst on these medicine(s)?  
• What will happen if I miss a dose of the medicine or stop taking it?  

After the medication review: 

• Your regular GP will be informed of any actions agreed by you at the meeting and will agree with any changes before they are made.  
• A summary of the meeting will be documented in your medical record and any tests or referrals to other health care professionals if required will be agreed and acted upon 
• The Clinical pharmacist will contact you if there are agreed timescales for follow up. 
• At any time, you have concerns about you medication please contact the surgery for advice.