What is a MedsCheck?
MedsChecks are a valuable service offered by pharmacists to help patients better understand and manage their medications. During a MedsCheck, a pharmacist reviews a patient’s medications with them to identify any issues or optimisation opportunities. They ensure the medications are appropriate, effective and safe for the individual based on their health conditions, age and other factors.
The pharmacist provides education and counselling on the purpose and proper use of the medications, answers any questions, and suggests any changes if needed. They provide the patient with a written summary of the medications and recommendations, and if needed correspond any suggestions to the patients regular GP.
MedsChecks aims to improve patients’ knowledge, adherence and safe use of their medications. They provide an opportunity to answer questions in detail, reduce adverse events, and optimise medication regimens. MedsChecks are proven to increase medication adherence, improve health outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.
The benefits of these pharmacist-provided services are clear. It is important we increase awareness and access to MedsChecks nationwide so more eligible patients can take advantage of them.
Barriers to Broader Use of MedsChecks
There are several key barriers limiting the more widespread utilisation of MedsChecks among eligible patients:
Lack of Public Awareness
One major barrier is a lack of broad public awareness about what MedsChecks are, who is eligible, and their potential benefits. Without understanding these services exist, patients are unlikely to proactively seek out or request a MedsCheck from their pharmacist. Raising awareness of these underutilised services is crucial.
Perception of Being Time-Consuming
Some pharmacists may avoid actively promoting MedsChecks under the perception they are overly time-consuming and difficult to fit into busy pharmacy workflows. Streamlining administrative processes, leveraging support staff, and using technology or tools, like those provided by Pharma Assist, can help optimise MedsCheck workflows and drastically improve efficiency.
Limited Reimbursement
The costs associated with providing MedsChecks when weighed against the reimbursement rate may limit some pharmacists from offering them more widely. In addition to this the monthly caps on service provision that are currently in place put a limit on the full potential of the service. Advocacy to improve reimbursement rates for MedsChecks through the CPA would support increased provision.
Low Promotion by Pharmacies
Without concerted efforts to promote MedsChecks, many eligible patients simply remain unaware these services exist. Pharmacies play a key role in increasing utilisation through consistent marketing, recommendations to eligible patients, and integration into standard pharmacy workflows.
Benefits of Increasing MedsCheck Usage
There are numerous advantages to driving increased utilisation of MedsChecks among eligible patients, including:
Improved Medication Adherence
One of the core aims of a MedsCheck is to improve medication adherence through patient education, counselling and optimisation of regimens. Studies show that MedsChecks lead to significant improvements in medication adherence and persistence.
Reduced Hospitalisations
By improving adherence and optimising medications, MedsChecks may help to prevent adverse medicine events and complications that can lead to hospitalisations.
Increased Pharmacy Revenue
Offering MedsCheck services provides a valuable new revenue stream for pharmacies. Income is increased firstly through the direct provision of the service but secondly by fostering patient loyalty which in turn improves customer retention.
Strengthened Patient-Pharmacist Relationships
The MedsCheck consultation helps to build rapport and trust between the patient and pharmacist. Patients develop a reliable contact for advice on medications and managing conditions, and enjoy having a physical medication list to reference.
Identification of Medication Issues
MedsChecks enable the identification of a range of actual or potential medication issues from interactions to improper use. Identifying and resolving these issues provides direct health benefits.
Increasing the use of MedsChecks can clearly generate advantages across multiple stakeholders. Patients, pharmacists and the broader healthcare system benefit from these evidence-based services.
Recommendations to Boost Utilisation
There are a number of evidence-based strategies that can help drive increased uptake of MedsChecks:
Public Education Campaigns
Broad public awareness campaigns are needed so patients understand what MedsChecks are, their benefits, eligibility criteria and how to access them. Marketing through media channels, community outreach and doctor’s offices can increase awareness.
Workflow Automation
Streamlining administrative processes through technology and support staff can help optimise MedsCheck workflows for pharmacies and minimise the perception of time burdens.
Pharmacist Incentives and Training
Programs providing pharmacists additional training on conducting efficient MedsChecks, and incentives for completing them, may enhance provision.
Pharmacy Promotion and Marketing
Promotional strategies like in-store flyers, websites, call campaigns and recommendation prompts at dispensing can boost pharmacies’ promotion of MedsChecks to eligible patients.
Targeting High-Risk Populations
Identifying and proactively recommending MedsChecks to higher-risk patient groups such as the elderly and chronically ill can focus services where need and impact are greatest.
A multi-pronged approach across awareness, access, affordability and workflows is key to unlocking the full value of MedsChecks.
Time For Action
It’s clear that the underutilisation of MedsChecks represents a missed opportunity for better health outcomes and with a few strategic changes, we can unlock their immense potential.
As pharmacists, we need to become better at promoting MedsChecks and identifying eligible patients, while streamlining the provision of the service through the utilisation of technology and tools to improve the efficiency and in turn profitability of the MedsCheck service.
But where do you begin? Pharma Assist stands alone as a unique resource for pharmacists that exists to not only provide guidance but the tools necessary to establish a profitable MedsCheck service. The future of improved medication use and patient safety starts today. It starts with you. Will you take the first step?