Pharmacy annual medicine/health review
Discussion
I popped into my local village chemist today with a 'repeat' prescription and after I'd been given it the pharmacist said she needed to conduct an annual health review on me.
A little surprised that she had a list of all the prescription medicines that she had supplied over the last year - she wanted to know if they were likely to be wanted again. No, most were for specific complaints and unlikely to be wanted again....although if symptoms flare up again...then they might.
I had to sign a couple of forms for a new system they were operating - wherein the GP/surgery e.mail the nominated (village) chemist the repeat prescription and it's then supposed to be easier for me to just turn up and collect it.
I got given an A4 sheet on 'electronic prescription service' which is what I've signed up for, and it seems to be reasonable. I'm just a little bit wary of why I should have revealed the reasoning why I've been prescribed various medicines without any prior notification. I feel I should report it to my GP's surgery tomorrow as it's a bit of an imposition to reveal private medical details to a pharmacist.
Any one else have this happen to them or a GP/pharmacist want to reply on this topic?
A little surprised that she had a list of all the prescription medicines that she had supplied over the last year - she wanted to know if they were likely to be wanted again. No, most were for specific complaints and unlikely to be wanted again....although if symptoms flare up again...then they might.
I had to sign a couple of forms for a new system they were operating - wherein the GP/surgery e.mail the nominated (village) chemist the repeat prescription and it's then supposed to be easier for me to just turn up and collect it.
I got given an A4 sheet on 'electronic prescription service' which is what I've signed up for, and it seems to be reasonable. I'm just a little bit wary of why I should have revealed the reasoning why I've been prescribed various medicines without any prior notification. I feel I should report it to my GP's surgery tomorrow as it's a bit of an imposition to reveal private medical details to a pharmacist.
Any one else have this happen to them or a GP/pharmacist want to reply on this topic?
Our GP and chemist tie together well, request a prescription from one and collect for the other. But I seem to be different to many here where I don't see the problem in data being used to improve service since I don't have an issue with them knowing things about me so long as it is correct.
It sounds to me as though the pharmacist is reviewing your medication in its totality, which in my view at least is a good thing.
My late father had a repeat prescription list as long as your arm. Every time he went to his GP to complain about a new ailment, another drug was simply added on the end.
I'm sure that no-one ever reviewed this list in terms of the interactions between various medications. It was just dispensed without question.
My late father had a repeat prescription list as long as your arm. Every time he went to his GP to complain about a new ailment, another drug was simply added on the end.
I'm sure that no-one ever reviewed this list in terms of the interactions between various medications. It was just dispensed without question.
I Get asked all the time
they get money from the NHS to conduct the "review" and a quota of people they need to see.
I refuse because for me its a waste of time.
The GP should be reviewing medication every 6 - 12 months anyway (every repeat prescription will have a review date after which a new repeat cannot be issued unless a GP review has taken place)
they get money from the NHS to conduct the "review" and a quota of people they need to see.
I refuse because for me its a waste of time.
The GP should be reviewing medication every 6 - 12 months anyway (every repeat prescription will have a review date after which a new repeat cannot be issued unless a GP review has taken place)
Edited by Tiberius on Monday 6th January 20:21
I'm only querying it as I haven't had to do a pharmacist review before.
I also got asked about diet, exercise, alcohol intake, smoking ...
Straight after New Years Day - of course I have plans in place to have a healthier lifestyle. Next time, perhaps I should suggest a November/December appointment
I also got asked about diet, exercise, alcohol intake, smoking ...
Straight after New Years Day - of course I have plans in place to have a healthier lifestyle. Next time, perhaps I should suggest a November/December appointment
Pharmacist here; There was method in the madness and the pharmacist covered several very important issues.
The pharmacist was conducting a medicines use review, this covers many bases including lifestyle advice (smoking status, alcohol, exercise, sexual health etc etc) as part of our public health promotion remit as set out by the dept of health to try and improve the health of the nation at every opportunity-its not personal just an option for you to discuss stopping smoking for example.
The pharmacy keeps record of all the medication dispensed to you from that pharmacy, it helps us keep a record to intervene if/when required so you don't get dispensed something that may interact with another medication-again a legal requirement that we keep records.
Medication wastage is high on the dept of health agenda as millions of NHS money is wasted on medication that is dispensed and not used-often leading to hospitalisation of patients at yet more expense to the NHS, hence the pharmacist was trying to determine if you were using the medication (again the questions were general not personal).
When the pharmacist asked you to reveal why you had been prescribed those medications she was likely trying to determine your level of medication knowledge and add information as appropriate (or give you the opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed environment), most patients like yourself i'm sure have a good understanding but I have many many patients that do not know what or why they are taking their medication.
Electronic prescriptions, she was gaining your consent for a new service that is aiming to make pharmacy paperless-i can guarantee this has caused her many headaches and would prefer to continue using the current paper model.
Finally with regard to revealing private medical details to this healthcare professional with a Masters degree in Pharmacy was hardly anything of a surprise (to her atleast) as she can look at your medication history and know exactly what issues you have so I wouldn't worry on that front. In addition if there were any major health related issues she will make a report and forward it to your GP, who will make you an appointment.
Personally as a pharmacist I think you got a good deal, you got well informed advice and i'm sure the time to ask as many questions as you liked without being rushed-something that is often lost in today's society. Utilise your local pharmacist's skills, she might just surprise you.
The pharmacist was conducting a medicines use review, this covers many bases including lifestyle advice (smoking status, alcohol, exercise, sexual health etc etc) as part of our public health promotion remit as set out by the dept of health to try and improve the health of the nation at every opportunity-its not personal just an option for you to discuss stopping smoking for example.
The pharmacy keeps record of all the medication dispensed to you from that pharmacy, it helps us keep a record to intervene if/when required so you don't get dispensed something that may interact with another medication-again a legal requirement that we keep records.
Medication wastage is high on the dept of health agenda as millions of NHS money is wasted on medication that is dispensed and not used-often leading to hospitalisation of patients at yet more expense to the NHS, hence the pharmacist was trying to determine if you were using the medication (again the questions were general not personal).
When the pharmacist asked you to reveal why you had been prescribed those medications she was likely trying to determine your level of medication knowledge and add information as appropriate (or give you the opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed environment), most patients like yourself i'm sure have a good understanding but I have many many patients that do not know what or why they are taking their medication.
Electronic prescriptions, she was gaining your consent for a new service that is aiming to make pharmacy paperless-i can guarantee this has caused her many headaches and would prefer to continue using the current paper model.
Finally with regard to revealing private medical details to this healthcare professional with a Masters degree in Pharmacy was hardly anything of a surprise (to her atleast) as she can look at your medication history and know exactly what issues you have so I wouldn't worry on that front. In addition if there were any major health related issues she will make a report and forward it to your GP, who will make you an appointment.
Personally as a pharmacist I think you got a good deal, you got well informed advice and i'm sure the time to ask as many questions as you liked without being rushed-something that is often lost in today's society. Utilise your local pharmacist's skills, she might just surprise you.
New POD said:
A Pharmacist is someone I'd more likely trust to get the right dose, and understand the conflicts between drugs whereas my GP I wouldn't trust with anything other than nappy rash.
the entire reason that Pharmacy exists as a Seperate , Regulated by Statute , Health Profession is that they are the experts on medicines and medicines management .if you don't feel happy discussing your health with a Registered, Professionally Regulated, Graduate health professional , I think it's you that has the issue and problem .
ETA i agree completely with the post above from the actual Pharmacist .
Edited by mph1977 on Wednesday 15th January 11:08
mph1977 said:
New POD said:
A Pharmacist is someone I'd more likely trust to get the right dose, and understand the conflicts between drugs whereas my GP I wouldn't trust with anything other than nappy rash.
the entire reason that Pharmacy exists as a Seperate , Regulated by Statute , Health Profession is that they are the experts on medicines and medicines management .if you don't feel happy discussing your health with a Registered, Professionally Regulated, Graduate health professional , I think it's you that has the issue and problem .
ETA i agree completely with the post above from the actual Pharmacist .
Edited by mph1977 on Wednesday 15th January 11:08
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