Medication Consumers The team of Consultant Pharmacists at Pharmika Consulting are experts at administering the Home Medication Review service. We combine passion for the profession with our years of experience and a commitment to a quality service. Our Home Medication Review service is available from Pharmika Consulting in; - English
- Italian
- Greek
- Arabic
- Mandarin Chinese
Home Medication Review Overview What is a Home Medication Review?A Home Medication Review ('HMR') is a professional service provided by a specially trained pharmacist. (A consultant pharmacist) in collaboration with your Doctor and Pharmacist. All patients at risk of medication related issues are eligible to receive a Home Medication Review. Why have a Home Medication Review?Every year 140,000 Australians are hospitalised because of problems with their medications. The purpose of a Home Medication Review is detect and resolve potential medication related issues before they result in serious consequences. How much does a Home Medication Review cost?A Home Medication Review is fully subsidised by the Federal Government through Medicare and is available to all eligible Australians free of charge!. Am I eligible?Eligibility criteria are broad and encompass all medication consumers at risk of medication related issues. How I access this service?Your Doctor will assess and determine whether a Home Medication Review will be suitable for you. If a Home Medication Review is appropriate, your GP will generate a HMR Referral. Please contact us at Pharmika Consulting for more information or if you would like us to discuss Home Medication Review with your GP. What Does A Home Medication Review InvolveThe Home Medication Review service is a two stage process;  1. Consultation with specially trained pharmacist
For your convenience, Pharmika Consulting offers an in-home service. During this consultation you will discuss all the medications (including Vitamins and other nutritional supplements) you are taking, one by one with the consultant. This will present the opportunity for you to; - learn more about your medications,
- discuss any reservations or concerns you have,
- be reassured that you are doing everything right.
Whilst present, the Consultant will also; - investigate for medication related issue; eg side effects and medicine interactions. For a more thorough explanation of 'medication related issues' see FAQ below.
- assess whether your lifestyle or diet are effecting how well your medicines work,
- ensure all of your medicines are in date,
- ensure you are using health related devices accurately (eg Blood Glucose Monitors, Asthma Inhalers etc)
2. GP visit and management plan The consultant pharmacist will prepare a HMR report for your GP. The report will include a summary of information learned during your consultation and may also include some recommendations. Information presented in this report will provide your GP with a more thorough understanding of your profile and better equipped to make considered decisions about your health. Frequently Asked Questions  What are some examples of medication related issues?
Some of the issues that the consultant pharmacist will be investigating include; 1. Whether all your medications are safe to take together. This is important as; - Some medicine interactions can lead to organ damage and in extreme cases can be fatal.
- Some vitamins and 'natural medicines' can interfere with your prescribed medications
2. If you are experiencing adverse drug reactions - Occasionally adverse drug reactions are not easily detectable or are attributed to other causes.
3. If doses are appropriate for your individual circumstances - People with decreased kidney or liver function often need lower doses.
- Age and weight are also key factors in determining appropriate doses.
4. If your diet or lifestyle are effecting disease control and the effectiveness of your medications - Poor responses to treatment are sometimes due to diet and lifestyle factors rather than medication inadequacies. Occasionally doses of medications are increased unnecessarily.
5. If you are using medications appropriately; - you may be compromising the effectiveness by taking your medicines at the incorrect time of day or at the wrong times in relation to food.
- you may be incorrectly taking a regular preventative medication on a when required basis.
6. Whether all the medications you are currently taking are still necessary; - Are you taking a medication that was commenced to treat a side effect of another medication?
- Have you continued to take a medication prescribed as a short term remedy indefinitely?
- Could your condition be managed with a more simplified regimen?
I've been taking my medications for years, why do I need a Home Medication Review?Many of the medication related issues discussed commonly occur in patients that have been on the same medications for years. All patients that take multiple medications can be at risk of medication misadventure. My doctor knows the medicines I take, what is the point of a Home Medication Review?Your GP will be aware of all the medications they have prescribed for you. There is a lot of information about you that they may however not be aware of. Some examples include; - you may take 'natural medicines' that you buy from a supermarket or the pharmacy
- you may use over the counter pain medications that may interfere
- you may not be taking the prescribed medications exactly as intended
- you may be taking prescribed medications from other GPs or specialists
- what your diet and lifestyle are like and how that may be effecting your health
What makes a Home Medication Review unique is that your health and medication profile is observed in its entirety. How often can I have a Home Medication Review?Providing your GP is satisfied that eligibility criteria continue to be met, you are eligible for a Home Medication Review every 12 months. Home medication reviews explained in your language; Italian Greek Mandarin Chinese Arabic Presentations & Articles Coming soon | 
