Homebased Medication Review

The recently published HARM study found that 2,4% of all hospital admissions and 5,6% of all acute admissions in the Netherlands were drug related. Of these admissions 46% were considered “possibly avoidable”. Drug related problems are a considerable risk for patient safety, especially among patients using multiple chronic medicines. Regular and systematic review of individual patient’s drug treatment can help to reduce the number of drug related problems en may improve patient outcome. The Homebased Medication Review project of LLOYDS Pharmacies is based on the Australian Home Medicines Review (HMR). During this project a pharmacy-led medication review will be performed based on the patient’s medication list, GP clinical notes and information from a patient’s home-interview. The intervention will be performed and monitored by a community pharmacist in close collaboration with the patient’s GP. The present study examines the possibility to implement the FTC intervention in primary care in the Netherlands and the effect of the FTC intervention on the quality of pharmacotherapy and clinical outcomes.

An homebased medication review intervention conducted by a community pharmacists in close collaboration with the GP and patient improves the quality of pharmacotherapy in elderly patients.

A medication review will be performed by the patient’s pharmacist, using the medication list and GP clinical records. The medication review is evaluated and, if necessary, completed by an independent pharmacist panel. All potential drug related problems are identified and classified. The pharmacist visits the patient at home for an interview about the patient’s medicines and to identify other possible drug related problems. The medication review will be completed using the information from the patient’s interview. Adjustments in pharmacotherapy will be proposed and discussed with the patient’s GP. A treatment plan will be formulated. The GP or pharmacist will discuss the treatment plan with the patient. Patients in the control group receive regular care.