Pharmacy
Home Medicines Review Program - Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet on the Home Medicines Review Programavailable under the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement.
The Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement (Fourth Agreement) includes funding of up to $150 million for a range of Medication Management Review Programs. One of these is the Home Medicines Review (HMR) Program, which aims to enhance Quality Use of Medicines and to reduce the number of adverse drug events experienced by the elderly and others using multiple medicines, by assisting them to better manage their medicines.
The Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
What is an HMR?
An HMR is a service provided jointly by General Practitioners and pharmacists. It allows a thorough check of all the medicines a patient is taking, including prescriptions from the pharmacy, and any non-prescription medication such as vitamins or herbal preparations. The Review is conducted by a pharmacist, in the patient’s home. An HMR can only be conducted following a referral from a General Practitioner. A specially accredited pharmacist will then conduct the HMR and provide a report back to the patient’s General Practitioner, who will then discuss any recommendations with the patient and may make changes to their medication regime based on the findings of the HMR.A patient’s GP should forward a copy of the patient medication management plan to the pharmacy. This plan enables the pharmacy to assist in the prevention of any medication errors and to take any other actions the GP may request such as provision of Dose Administration Aids for the patients. It is also important if a change in medication regime occurs following the HMR, to ensure the patient does not get a previous medication dispensed.
As at 1 July 2008, accredited pharmacists conducting an HMR can claim a fee of $183.60.
Patients who may benefit from a HMR
Patients who may benefit from a HMR include those:- taking 5 or more regular medications;
- who are confused or worried about their medicines (or forget to take their medicines);
- taking more than 12 doses of medication per day;
- who have had a significant change to their medication regime;
- with literacy or language difficulties, dexterity problems, impaired sight, or those with cognitive difficulties such as dementia;
- seeing a number of different doctors, including GPs and specialists;
- recently discharged from hospital.
Patients who have had an HMR will have the opportunity to ask a pharmacist questions about their medicines, or how to take their medicines, that their GP or usual pharmacist may not have time to answer. Encourage the patient to have all of their medicines out on the table when the pharmacist arrives.
Can HMRs be provided to patients in aged care homes?
No. A similar program, the Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) program provides for medication reviews for permanent residents of aged care homes.The RMMR service is designed to improve health outcomes by enabling pharmacists to support doctors and nursing staff, through assisting in identifying opportunities to optimise medication use and to avoid medication related problems.
