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Working together to use medicines safely and effectively

Medicines are a vital part of looking after our health — helping to treat illness, manage long-term conditions, and improve quality of life. But to get the best results, medicines need to be used safely and effectively.

That’s where medicines management comes in. Our teams of pharmacists, GPs, nurses and other professionals work together to review prescriptions, check for side effects, and make sure treatments are right for each patient.

But it’s not just about the professionals — patients play a key role too. Keeping track of your medicines, taking them as prescribed, and raising any concerns or side effects with your healthcare team all help make sure you’re getting the best possible care.

By working together — patients and professionals side by side — we can make sure medicines are safe, effective, and supporting your health in the best way possible.

How are your medicines making you feel?

Medicines play a key role in keeping us healthy, but their impact goes beyond just taking the right tablets at the right time. On this page, we’ll explore how you can track how your medicines make you feel, the importance of regular medicines reviews, spotting side effects or changes, and reducing medicine waste.

We’ll also introduce some of the roles in your local GP practice who are there to support you in managing your medicines safely and effectively.

By understanding your treatment, monitoring how it affects you, and working with the right professionals, you can get the most benefit from your medicines while keeping your care safe and personalised.

Roles in Primary Care: Medicines Management
Medicines Reviews
Managing Your Repeat Prescription(s)

Medicines Reviews

 

Over time our bodies change, so to make sure they still work for you your medicines may need to change too. A review is for both you and a healthcare professional to make a decision about your medication together.
It’s important that your medications are reviewed regularly, as:

  • Your condition or circumstances may have changed, and the medicines you were prescribed may no longer be appropriate.
  • It might be better to stop taking your medication, but this will be discussed at your review.

You shouldn’t stop taking your medication without support. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication please speak with your GP practice.

What to expect at your review...

Your review is a confidential appointment between you and a healthcare professional (usually a GP Practice Pharmacist or another qualified health professional such as GP or practice nurse).

The aim of the review is to check that the medicines you are prescribed are still working for you and that you are getting the best from them. At your review you may be asked the following questions:

Do you think your medicines are improving your health or stopping it from getting worse?

When was the last time you didn’t take at least one of your medicines?

Have you experienced any unwanted side effects from your medicines?

Over time our bodies change. So to make sure they still work for you, your medicines may need to change too. It’s important that your medications are reviewed regularly.

Your condition or circumstances may have changed, and the medicines you were prescribed may no longer be right for you. A review is for you and a healthcare professional to decide about your medication together.

Anyone who gets repeat NHS prescribed medication for long term health conditions should be offered a medicine review at regular intervals. This is usually done yearly, though it can depend on your condition and age.

If you have any changes in your condition or circumstances, or you notice any unwanted side effects, it is important you request a review as soon as possible, rather than wait for your regular review. This is so your health professional can make sure you are on the most suitable medication for you.

Your review is a private appointment between you and a qualified healthcare professional. It could be a Practice Pharmacist, a GP or practice nurse. The review may take place in person or over the phone.

At your review you may be asked these questions:

  • Do you think your medicines are helping your health or stopping it from getting worse?
  • When was the last time you didn’t take at least one of your medicines?
  • Have you had any unwanted side effects from your medicines?

You may also be asked about your circumstances and if they have changed, or if you have any concerns or questions you’d like to discuss.

An appointment for tests may be made to see whether the medicine is working, depending on the type of medicine you are taking and any concerns raised (e.g. blood pressure checks).

The aim of a medicine review is to check that the medicines you are prescribed are still working for you and that you are getting the best from them. Stopping a medication may be the most appropriate outcome. However it is not always the outcome. Any concerns around changing or stopping medicines will be fully discussed with you, and your health professional will always ensure you are happy with any decisions made around your care.

We know it can sometimes be hard knowing where to start when raising questions or concerns related to your health. That is why we have designed a symptom tracker which can be used as an aid to help you in your medicine review. You can use the tracker to record any symptoms you might be feeling, both physical and mental.

It will help you and your healthcare professional to see more clearly where common symptoms are arising. This will help you both with making decisions about your medication, and to monitor any changes to make sure they are working for you.

Usually, you have one yearly. However there are lots of reasons you might not have had a review for your medicines, it is not a reason to be worried. By having a regular review of your medicines, you can be confident that you’re receiving the most suitable treatment.

areyourmeds_hub_graphics_campaign_header-720x450.pngTrack your symptoms: Sometimes it can be difficult to know if some or all your medicines are working for you. Your healthcare professional might ask you to complete a symptom tracker.

A tracker is used:

  • to monitor your current medication
  • to help make decisions about your medication
  • to monitor any changes and make sure the changes are working for you

A review is for both you and a qualified healthcare professional to make a decision about your medication together.

Help us reduce medicines waste

Around £20 million is wasted every year on unused medicines. This includes inhalers, pain medication and creams, across our region. By only ordering what we need we can make sure NHS resources go where they are most needed.

Ordering medicines when they aren’t needed can mean you end up with more than you need in your cupboard. Small changes in managing our medicines can make a big difference and help reduce medicine waste in the North East and North Cumbria.

That £20 million could help fund: 

  • 535 more nurses per year
  • 476,190 more GP appointments per year
  • 1,574 knee replacements

To find out more select here or on the image below.

Roles in Primary Care: Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician
Roles in Primary Care: Dispensary Manager and Dispenser
Reducing Medication-related Harm

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