Medication Reviews & Safe Prescribing
Understanding how healthcare teams review and optimise your medicines
A medication review is a structured assessment of all the medicines a person is taking, carried out by a pharmacist, GP or nurse. The goal is to make sure every medicine is still needed, working effectively, and not causing harm — and that nothing important has been missed. As people take more medicines, the risk of interactions and side effects increases, making regular review essential.
Why are medication reviews important?
Many people, particularly older adults, take five or more regular medicines — a situation known as polypharmacy. While multiple medicines are sometimes genuinely necessary, every additional medicine increases the risk of side effects and interactions. Some medicines that were appropriate when first prescribed may no longer be needed, or may actually be causing harm. A medication review is the opportunity to look at the whole picture and make sure the balance is right.
What happens during a medication review?
A structured medication review involves going through every medicine you take — including those bought over the counter, vitamins and herbal supplements — and discussing whether each one is still needed, whether it is working, and whether it is causing any side effects. The pharmacist or clinician will also check for interactions between medicines, make sure doses are appropriate for your kidney and liver function, and look for medicines that may have been omitted but would benefit you.
Stopping medicines (deprescribing)
One of the most valuable outcomes of a medication review can be safely stopping medicines that are no longer necessary or are causing harm. Stopping a medicine (deprescribing) is not the same as giving up on treatment — it is an active clinical decision to reduce your medicines burden and improve your quality of life. Common medicines that are often reviewed include sleeping tablets, antacid medicines, some blood pressure drugs in older frail patients, and medicines for conditions that have resolved.
How to get the most from your medicines
The most important thing is to take your medicines as prescribed. If you are struggling with a medicine — perhaps due to side effects, cost, difficulty swallowing tablets, or simply forgetting — tell your pharmacist or GP. There is almost always a solution. Never stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to a healthcare professional first. Bring all your medicines — including anything bought at a health food shop — to any medication review appointment. This article has been prepared following careful evaluation of current guidance on medicines optimisation and safe prescribing.