During a medication review, a pharmacist can:
• address adherence issues
• teach proper use of medical devices, such as inhalers
• simplify a medication regimen
• resolve side effects or drug interactions
• recommend a dosage change
• recommend the discontinuation or substitution of an inappropriate medication
• recommend a more cost-effective medication.
As an employer, you can raise awareness about this free service among your employees and provide them with information on the benefits of medication reviews. Here are some points to consider:
• Having the opportunity to sit down with a pharmacist and gain a better understanding of one’s medications can improve a person’s health outcomes and drug adherence.
• Getting one’s questions answered by a pharmacist can be empowering and promote proper medication usage, improving one’s health in the long run.
• Medication reviews can reduce drug plan costs by preventing potential medication- related complications, eliminating duplication and correcting improper medication usage.
• Optimizing medication usage can prevent costly adverse events, such as strokes. It can be as simple as teaching patients about hypertension and what they need to do to manage their blood pressure in addition to taking their medications.
Case example
I once conducted a medication review with a patient with a chronic lung condition who was taking four or five inhalers. Two of the inhalers were the same class of drug and are not typically taken together for this condition. I was able to glean from our discussion that his inhaler technique was incorrect. He was using a particular rescue inhaler frequently, indicating that he was having difficulty breathing. I also determined that the man’s calcium and vitamin D intake were inadequate, which is typical of someone his age (over 50).
During the medication review, I re-taught him proper inhaler technique and explained that sometimes when patients are on inhalers for a long time, they begin to skip steps to expedite the process. This sometimes causes them to lose their technique, so it’s beneficial to review the process from time to time. The man was also unaware of the differences between each of his inhalers—a common problem for many patients— so I reviewed those with him too. I also determined that he was taking duplicate medications and resolved that issue after speaking with his doctor. Finally, I advised him on appropriate calcium and vitamin D intake to avoid osteoporosis.
For more coverage, see the August issue of Benefits Canada, or visit the microsite.
|
As this case shows, a medication review is a simple solution that can influence medication adherence and promote proper medication utilization. The Ontario MedsCheck program allows pharmacists to identify potential medication-related problems and provide solutions. It can also determine whether a certain therapy is no longer necessary and work with patients on improving their medication adherence, which is a big issue with chronic disease management. Medication reviews also empower patients by educating them on how to effectively manage their health conditions.
Rosemarie Patodia is a certified geriatric pharmacist and manager of pharmacy marketing and professional services for Shoppers Drug Mart.
For a PDF version of this article, click here.
