Why You Should Consider a Home Medicines Review
If you’re living with Parkinson’s and feel like your medications aren’t working as well as they should… even though you’re taking them on time, with water, and following your care team’s instructions, it might be time to look deeper. One of the best ways to do this is through a Home Medicines Review (HMR).
What is an HMR?
An HMR is a free, government-funded service where a specially trained pharmacist visits your home to review all your medications, including prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter products. You’ll have time to ask questions, understand what each medicine does, and check for any interactions or side effects.
Most people with Parkinson’s are eligible for an HMR once a year, and it’s bulk billed through Medicare, so there’s no cost to you.
What happens during the review?
- You’ll get everything out of the cupboard… expired meds, current meds, vitamins, supplements, prescriptions.
- The pharmacist will spend 30 to 60 minutes with you, going through each item.
- You’ll learn what each medicine is for, how to take it properly, and whether it’s still needed.
- The pharmacist will send a report to your GP, who can adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Why it’s especially helpful for people with Parkinson’s
People with Parkinson’s often take multiple medications to manage both motor and non-motor symptoms. Many also take supplements, see more than one doctor, and experience changes in how their body responds to treatment over time. Together, your GP and pharmacist may adjust your medications, stop unnecessary ones, or suggest alternatives.
They can also advise you on current TGA recommendations for e.g. vitamin B6.
What the research says:
- A 2021 study found that HMRs helped identify medication-related problems and improved adherence.
- Another study showed that pharmacists made an average of 4 recommendations per review, including dosage adjustments and monitoring needs.
- Despite these benefits, HMRs are under-used, especially among people with chronic conditions like Parkinson’s.
How to get started?
Just ask your GP for a referral. They’ll send your details to a credentialed pharmacist who will contact you to arrange a visit. You don’t need to prepare much just gather all your medications, vitamins and supplements and be ready to chat.
You may want to note on and off periods or side-effects. A handy paper tracker for a day is on our Parkinson’s medications infohub page: https://www.parkinsons.org.au/information-hub/parkinsons-medications/
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