Medication Review

A medication review aims to ensure that the patient is taking their medications safely and effectively, and to prevent any adverse drug events.

How does it work?

MedsCheck allows patients to bring in all their medications, supplements, and over-the-counter products to a pharmacy for a comprehensive review by a pharmacist. During the MedsCheck, the pharmacist reviews each product, including dosages and frequency, to ensure the patient is taking their medications safely and effectively. The pharmacist also checks for potential drug interactions or adverse effects, and makes recommendations for any necessary changes. The goal of the MedsCheck program is to help improve patient outcomes by ensuring medications are taken appropriately, and to provide education and support for the safe and effective use of medications.

Who is eligible?

Reference: Ministry of Health

• You must be an Ontario resident with a valid Ontario Health Card, currently taking a minimum of 3 prescription medications for a chronic condition.
• You must agree to the MedsCheck service — the program is voluntary.
• You're eligible for one MedsCheck Annual review per year from the date of the original review.
• You may be eligible for a MedsCheck Follow-Up within the annual time frame if: you were discharged from the hospital within the previous 2 weeks; there have been significant changes to your medication profile or new medication added; there is documented evidence of non-compliance; you have changed residence and transferred your prescriptions to a different pharmacy; you have a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner; or you have a planned hospital admission.

Pharmacists are responsible for setting up an appointment with their patients, conducting a review of their medications, compiling a list of all their medications, having a personal meeting with the patient, providing a signed and dated medication review document, and submitting a claim for payment.

Where to start?

If you are considering doing a medication review, talk to our pharmacist about the best way to get started. They can help you choose the right approach for your needs and provide you with instructions on how it works. Pharmacists are called one of Canada's most trusted professionals — they are committed and are one of the most accessible healthcare providers. So if you have questions regarding your medications, are concerned about their effectiveness or side effects, are not sure how to take them, or are worried about interactions between them, call the pharmacy to book a MedsCheck review.

At Optimum Pharmacy, we are dedicated to providing the most satisfactory service in the Greater Toronto Area.