has anyone had a meds review with a pharmacist?

[elliejjtiny]

Today I had a phone call from the gp receptionist saying I needed a telephone review for my meds (sertraline 150mg) with the pharmacist. I normally have a meds review with the gp so I was a bit confused but I didn't query it as I had 2 of the dc trying to talk to me at the same time as well as the dr receptionist so I was a bit flustered. Now I'm worried though. I know the pharmacist has a degree and will be more knowledgeable about medication than the gp but I'm not confident that she will know enough about my medical history or have access to my notes and I'm worried she will want to reduce my dose or change my meds when I am happy with the way they are.

This is pure speculation, but I imagine the pharmacist will mainly want to find out if you need a change in meds/dose.
If you are not having issues with your meds then they will stay the same, and maybe you will have 'proper' review when you are able to see your gp.
If the pharmacist thinks you need a change then maybe they refer back to GP.

Again - pure speculation.
I don't think they will receive dose on your meds

I have had those reviews with pharmacist. They go through your medication and discuss about side effects. Also what signs to look for in case of too high dose (lithium),

Pharmacies get paid for each medication review (MUR) they complete for each patient. They have targets to hit. The review will then be sent to your GP and they will contact you if necessary. You don’t actually have to consent to one if you don’t feel comfortable. I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you, it’s just procedure.

I've had one, due to the multiple med's I was taking, although I'm treated by a consultant pdoc.. It was largely done to 1) get a fresh pair of eyes on the meds to see if the pdoc was missing anything; 2) check that the combination was suited to me and there weren't any possible problems; 3) see if I had any problems or questions that I wanted to address. He definitely did not say anything about the doses--it was more about getting the bigger picture and the pdoc wanting a second opinion

I was quite happy to do this. It was good to ask questions and get detailed information about the meds, possible options etc.

Obviously, I can't say what's prompted your GP to do this, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. Nobody can frog march you to the appointment. When is it? Presumably it's not going to happen any time soon due to corona virus. You could hold off (just change the appointment if it's too soon for you) until you've had chance to speak to your GP about why they've requested it.

I’ve had them in the past and as others have said, it’s just checking everything is ok, reminding you how and when to take your meds, checking you’re not experiencing side effects, also reminding you of things you need to watch out for.

I had a meds review with the pharmacist last year ( about a month after gps review ) the pharmacist wanted mostly to check I knew what meds I took and why and more importantly that I was taking them correctly , he said that some meds combinations flag up on their system and this prompts a review for the said reasons , it only takes about 5 mins

Thankyou all, that's really reassuring. Appointment is next Tuesday over the telephone, I'll let you know how I get on.

I have a meds review every six months. In the past three or four years I think I have only one with a GP, the rest are with HCP or pharmacists. No problems with either, in fact it was an HCP who spotted my irregular pulse. Pharmacists are dealing with drugs and drug combinations all the time, they are as much or even more aware of any problems that could arise as any GP.

My last one was last week, over the phone - bit strange, but at least I didn't have to jump on the scales to be weighed!

It sounds like your GP surgery employs a pharmacist so they will have your notes in front of you, it may be that you are coming to the end of the permitted number of authorisations of your repeat prescription, most practices have a limit that you won’t necessarily see, and prescribing clerks won’t be able to print/send the prescription for signing, they will just want to check it is still the right dose etc. MURs by community pharmacist are being phased out and they are way too busy to be doing them over the phone at the minute I imagine.

Don’t worry. Although this is precisely the sort of thing that’s sends me into a spin. I never relax about my meds. Always think I won’t get a repeat prescription.
The pharmacist review is just a tick box exercise that they are paid for. You don’t have to consent. I’ve had them. The pharmacist would not change your meds or prescribe anything. It’s just reviewing what you take and asking if you’re ok. Do not worry!

Yes my pharmacist did one as I am taking multiple meds so they just wanted to check it was all ok, no side effects etc. All routine.