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Structured Medication Review.

Ern007 profile image
46 Replies

Has anyone else on this form having to have a STRUCTURED MEDICATION REVIEW by a - PHARMASIST.

I just found our that is what I am having tomorrow . Not with a GP or practice nurse.

It seems silly. just a weel or two ago I had a COPD/ASTHMA review done by a pharmasist.

In that review he reviewed my inhalers - he wanted me to shop the blue one and I think use Fostair more and up the dose of my Ipratropium Bromide aka Atrovemt.

Ipratropium Bromide is a good inhaler, miles better than a blue one, but I don't want the dose upped or Fostair, as I have AF most of the time. I refused. and told him why.

Point is I told him what I thought was best for me, I mean we ought to know what helps us.

So I am having a Structured Medication review tomorrow - this is a Multi Disciplinary approach. like a MDT.

So I wonder will he/she go through my COPD meds again.

Why I don't like this Multi Disciplinary approach - With my cancer the MDT caused me more worry than the cancer did. some of you will remeber my experience.

So has anyone else got to have a Structured medication review?

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Ern007
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46 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Pete had a nurse do his last med review as far as l recall. He has sat with a pharmacist in the past but that was a long time ago. I’d just go along Ern and see how it goes. You can always explain how you feel and have a chat perhaps. Xxx❤️

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply tosassy59

Thank's Carol for years I had a medication review with a GP or Nurse.

I have to go in the morning, but just a month or so ago, I had a pharmasist trying to change my meds. My inhalers are fine.

I hope they leave my pain meds alone. I was given a choice and have been OK - I am just hoping I am not getting a young guy with modern ideas. I will know tomorrow, I just don;t like this 'Multi Disciplinary approach'. So did Pete not get his meds altered Carole? xxx

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply toErn007

They tend to leave Pete alone to be honest Ern. He was put on Fostair at a respiratory appointment once but it makes him choke so he doesn’t use it. He’s been ticking along for a long time now so I hope the pharmacist listens to you. Be assertive if you feel the need. It’s your body. Good luck tomorrow. Xxx❤️

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply tosassy59

Thank You Carol - I found out it's for older people with OA, Diabetis and High Blood Pressure ect - I am down as having hight blood pressure and I don't have it, they charged me more for my travel insurance for that. I thought I had been left alone until this year. Fostair I find OK, don't like ventolin - Not saying that ot I will end up on Trimbow lol xxx

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply toErn007

That’s ridiculous saying you have high BP when you don’t. Pete does and also does well on Ventolin….we’re all different. lol.

Take care xxx

helenlw7 profile image
helenlw7 in reply tosassy59

My records said I had MS and it’s only this year I’ve managed to have it removed!

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply tohelenlw7

MS? I should think they did remove it. The High Pressure cost me in travel insurance, in fact I have low blood pressure at times.

helenlw7 profile image
helenlw7 in reply toErn007

They did eventually remove it. I’m not sure who did it but it had gone when I had my last rheumatology appointment in April.

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply tohelenlw7

Oh dear Helen, whatever next. Xxx

helenlw7 profile image
helenlw7 in reply tosassy59

There surely can’t be anything else!

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply tohelenlw7

Hopefully not! 😳 xxxx

Coughingalltheway profile image
Coughingalltheway in reply toErn007

When I was taken into hospital, they asked me about my muscular dystrophy! The Consultant was not impressed that it was on my notes but I'd never had it. When I got home, I've accessed my health records through Patient Access and got that removed together with the apparent depression I've had since 1994!

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply tosassy59

It did not go as bad as I thought Carole, I got a femail pharmaist who listened to all my points, And I can go see her if I need to, I was shock, even took me upstairs in a lift. xxx

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply toErn007

There you go Ern, l’m pleased to hear that and seems as if you were looked after and listened too.

Carole xxxx❤️

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply tosassy59

So different to the grump that did my COPD review. he was from AstraZeneca =-Yes she was nice and gave me options. Even took myself and Anne upstairs in a lift xxx

Dottie11 profile image
Dottie11 in reply toErn007

great to here.xx

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toDottie11

Thank you Dottie.xx

djbctla profile image
djbctla in reply toErn007

Hi Ern As I have never had your review pharmacist experience, I did not reply to your post. While saying that, I can feel your relief after your review for which I am very happy for you. Three cheers. 🥰🥰BERNARDINE

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply todjbctla

Thank's Bernardine - I was relieved as not long before I had a less than good COPD/Asthma review. Yes it was almos pleasent.

My CT scan was soon over and done with, got to hospital 8am was home a few minutes ago, I was first.

Troilus profile image
Troilus

I have a yearly review with the pharmacist from my GP surgery. Most have been a tick box review. I did have one where I was given a new cholesterol drug to try (no good for me but I tried it) and she swapped my dissolving Asprin to a more stomach friendly version. Both times it was up to me to say yes or no to these meds.

I don’t think this is anything to be concerned about. Most of my reviews have ended with “ your medication seems to be working for you so no need for any changes”

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toTroilus

Thank you. I had a tick box COPD/Inhaler reveiw a month ago.

Turnipgirl profile image
Turnipgirl

Yes I had a phone appointment with a pharmacist for a medication review back in 2022!

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toTurnipgirl

I did for a COPD review which also turned out as a Inhaler review and he wanted to up the dose. Until needed I am ok as I am .

Greenthorn profile image
Greenthorn

Not sure if it was a "structured" medication review but a pharmacist at my doctor's surgery phoned me this year to say they are reviewing my meds. This lady does two days per week. Apparently she is telling me that she has noticed from a CT scan that I've got plaque in coronary arteries and she' like to prescribe atorvastatin 20mg. I was curious since I'd not been told anything by my consultant cardiologist. So I said no. Id wait till I see my cardiologist in July But a month down the line I changed my mind and began talking the staten. No ill effects at all. I should say the pharmacist did explain all about this. However when I saw my consultant two weeks ago he said what I had (the plaque) was normal, everyone has plaque or something like that and he didn't seem too concerned at all! Nevertheless he didn't tell me to come off the statens.

All im saying here Ern is that it seems to me this "pharmacist" role at the surgery is a new thing and maybe he/she seeks to show they are making or suggesting changes. Jobs for the boys!

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toGreenthorn

Well Greenthorn was not as bad as I expected, out sugery has a lift and we went up.

The review itself went well, she did say did I still need blue inhaler, I said yes but I only use it when wheezy, she thinks I would be better taking adcal twice a day .

I see her again in a year but if I need a change of dose, I can see her .

To me though as nice as she was - This could have been done by a nurse - All in all although Multidisaplinary. it was not to try and take my meds or change my meds - I have open access to her also.

it is yet another tier of care though.

jhorsf profile image
jhorsf in reply toGreenthorn

Be careful and watch for side effects with statins

Bingofox007 profile image
Bingofox007

I had a pharmacist review my meds once but not a structured review that you have booked. On edoxaban so can only take cocodamol for OA and RA pain. He said it’s addictive so what what I do if he decided not to issue so much monthly? I said I’d live a miserable life with chronic pain that wasn’t being controlled. I reported him for his attitude and uncaring manner. He still reduced it by 10 tablets a month. I can cope with that and it no doubt made him feel the bigger man!!! At least he got to tick a box on some audit sheet I’m sure! Take care 🦊x

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl in reply toBingofox007

Every time someone in the surgery threatens to stop my pain meds, I tell them they will then be responsible for me no longer running support groups, taking a full part in my local community and looking after the maintenance of a church hall that is used by small charities, and instead consign me to staying at home in painful misery all the time as I commit suicide by sofa and an early grave.

It's worked so far.

Bingofox007 profile image
Bingofox007 in reply toErgendl

Good for you. Waiting for other knee replacement so hopefully will be able to cut down but that will be my choice not his 🦊x

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toBingofox007

I know what you mean Bingofox007 - As nice as she was, being I take Dyhydrocodine and Morphine, she wondered did I want to give them up. I said well no as it save me taking Morphine with other stuff at night and she bought that. She was dubious over my Lorazapam, I did tell her why I needed those, she listened and said OK...she worked from a tick box.

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toBingofox007

Wow how unlucky are you. Of course Opiods are adictive but I would have a miserable life with out morphine amd dyhydrocodine for night. I explained that to the lady pharmaist and she backed me. I have Riveroniban that does notinteract with Morphine , he sounds a tyrent and that's why i was worried.

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56 in reply toBingofox007

Grrrr!!! You've been badly treated.

Smilesalot profile image
Smilesalot

Hi Ern 🤗Yes I supposed to but I refused to go for months. My meds are fine at the moment if they aren't I speak to my Gp.

But I did recently have bladder infection antibiotics dealt with soley by the pharmacist. So I may go eventually😉

I'm also afraid they will mess it up. Terrified actually.

Well done Ern for sticking to ur guns hugs Dawn

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toSmilesalot

Our surgery is spit into 2, one in next village, and my GP not my usual GP orders this - The pharmasist was a woman and listened to what ihad to say and to me surpise, was suportive, - I think she know I was not for change. I held them of for a while, appointment cancelled, but my named DR put it back and had to go. Hugs back at you Dawn.

BrigidsFire profile image
BrigidsFire

A lot of pharmacists these days are actually prescribing pharmacists. This means you can speak to them about prescriptions for a lot of things, rather than having to wait for a GP appointment.

Our surgery does yearly med reviews via the pharmacist. They are usually better placed to discuss medicine interactions or alternatives, as well as being qualified to give new prescriptions.

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

Hi Ern007, you sound like I did a few weeks ago. I have medical reveiws regular on tablets and once a year for inhalers. However at the moment my Inhaler reveiw is overdue because of cancer treatment . My Chemist just refers me back to DR if anything goes wrong. I used to have chemist reviews but because of allergies that can't be done anymore. I've had a tablet reveiw but have a inhaler reveiw with the nurse on the Ist of August. Its changed now to once a year around your birthday so these extra reviews are to get it in sequence for next year so they can be all done at once. Hope that makes a bit of sense to you. Mine are still not in sequence because of the cancer and the fact I take an opiod for pain. So good luck with your appointment at the chemist.

Ern007 profile image
Ern007

Hi katie, The reviiew was at my GP surgery, top floor. She asked about every one and listened, I was quite surprised - Although she did a secong inhaler review in a month. I am on liquid morphine for my pain, I really could do with tablet at night time, and filling a syringe from a bottle middle of night is not good. My cancer does not seem to figure in these reviews,, She said ses you next year , but I can go see her if I need to.

Maximonkey profile image
Maximonkey

Hi Ern007, I had mine yesterday. It was seamless. No problems at all. I did not have to discuss my asthma or Bronch, the main focus was on whether I had any problems with my meds or any other health issue. I am fortunate that all my meds are doing their job and I have no issues. I hope you get on ok Ern, I am sure you will. Take care, Maximonkey

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toMaximonkey

Thank you Maximonkey - Unlike the structured COPD this really was a nice pharmasist. she asked over my breathing and pain, but the only queery did I want to continue with Adcan D - i said not really been taking it, but found I am on strong Vit D - She just said take the Adcal after my course of Vit D- I was dreading medication cuts, a nice surprise./

Maximonkey profile image
Maximonkey in reply toErn007

Hi Ern, so glad it was a positive experience. I really felt my pharmacist wanted to help me. You take care, Maximonkey

Cruise1 profile image
Cruise1

I had one of these a few years ago and was misinformed by the pharmacist. went back for appointment with GP who did full revue again disagreeing with something pharmacist had said. My last review,which was supposed to be a blood test only, turned out to be a review done by one of the practice nurses and wasn’t very thorough.

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toCruise1

I was bothered about this., I had a COPD review and he wanted to change my inhalers, I said no. This was a doddle this morning, she is one of the few. Polite and even took us up in lift.

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

My last medication revue was with the surgery pharmacist. It was very civilised. We had a nice chat about my various medications. I was not pressured into changing anything I did not want to and felt an equal participant in the discussion.

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toAlberta56

Medication review turned out fine, COPD not that good and had inhalers reviewed twice.

Germantara profile image
Germantara

Sorry but haven't come across that yet

Ern007 profile image
Ern007 in reply toGermantara

Neither had I until yesterday,

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