Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs) are an integral part of assisting the community to remain healthy in their own homes. Safe effective use of medicines can assist people to remain active, healthy and productive.

Medicine related problems are common. Each year 140,000 hospital admissions and 400,000 GP visits are medicine-related. An Australian study showed that 90% of patients had at least one medicine related problem, with most having three. A recent follow up study showed many patients had multiple hospital admissions due to their medicines.

Patients may not be taking what you think they are taking. There has been a great deal of research on non compliance with medicine. Half to three quarters of patients were found to be not taking their medicines properly. The incidence of poor compliance is greater in patients with multiple illnesses.

The Pharmacy Guild HMR program at Northern Sydney General Practice Network aims to facilitate the utilisation of Home Medicine Reviews conducted by Accredited Pharmacists upon referral from a General Practitioner.

What is HMR?

HMR is a consumer-focused collaborative service focusing on quality use of medicines through bringing together the consumer, their GP and community pharmacy as a team. The process involves a GP referral to the community pharmacy of the patient’s choice, a pharmacist interview with the consumer, a clinical assessment and a written report back to the GP.

Services Available

The Network’s HMR Facilitator can assist you by practice visit, phone, email and education support on the following:

• How to implement HMRs at your practice
• How to identify patients who are eligible for HMR
• How to claim payment for HMRs
• How to conduct HMRs efficiently; including accessing templates on prescribing software
• How to coordinate HMRs with Enhanced Primary Care (EPC)
• Which pharmacies in your area provide HMRs
• Solving problems you have encountered with HMRs
• Improving communication with your local pharmacies
• Evidence-based, multi-disciplinary and preventative care by HMRs.

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