For patients, families and carers
What actually happens on the day.
An hour at your kitchen table, going through every medicine in the house. Here's what to expect, what to have ready, and what happens afterwards.
What to have ready
What happens
Start to finish, it looks like this.
You hear from us
By text or a call, on behalf of your doctor's practice. Or ask your GP directly. Either way works.
We find a time
Around you, including anyone you'd like there. Your GP signs the referral.
We visit
About 60 minutes at your kitchen table. Bring out every medicine you have, including the stopped ones.
We write to your GP
Within 7 days. Then you see your doctor to talk through anything that should change.
Getting ready
Put everything in one spot, including what you've stopped.
- All your tablets, capsules and liquids
- Inhalers, patches, creams, drops and injections
- Vitamins, supplements and anything from the chemist or supermarket
- Anything a specialist started that your GP may not know about
- Medicines you've stopped, or only take now and then
- Your Webster pack or dosette box, if you use one
There are no wrong answers and nobody is checking up on you. If you haven't been taking something, saying so is the single most useful thing you can do.
How to ask
You can start this yourself.
You don't have to wait to be offered. At your next appointment you can simply say:
“I take a few different medicines and I'd like to understand them better. Could I have a Home Medicines Review?”
Your GP will decide whether it's appropriate and send the referral.
You may be eligible if you
- Take 5 or more regular medicines
- Have recently come out of hospital
- See more than 1 doctor who prescribes for you
- Have had medicines changed in the last few months
- Find your medicines confusing or hard to manage
- Have a Medicare or DVA card and live in your own home
Common questions
Does it cost me anything?
No. A Home Medicines Review is free. There is no fee, no gap and nothing to claim back. You need a current Medicare or DVA card.
Why did I get a text message?
Because your doctor's practice identified you as someone who might benefit, and asked us to get in touch. The message comes from your practice. If you'd rather not, reply STOP and you won't hear from us again.
Is this a scam?
A fair question. We will always name the practice that referred you. We will never ask for bank details, your Medicare number by text, or a payment. There is nothing to pay. If you're unsure, hang up or ignore the message and ring your practice directly to check.
Who comes to my house?
An accredited pharmacist, meaning a pharmacist with additional training in reviewing medicines. You'll be told their name before they arrive.
How long does it take?
Usually 45 to 60 minutes. Longer if you have a lot of medicines or a lot of questions, which is completely fine.
What should I have ready?
Everything. Every box, bottle, packet, inhaler, cream, eye drop, patch and vitamin. That includes the ones you've stopped and the ones you only take sometimes. Put them all in one spot.
Will you change my medicines?
No. A pharmacist can't change your prescriptions. We write to your GP with what we found and what we suggest, and your GP decides. Nothing changes without them.
Is my information kept private?
Yes. Your information is handled in Australia by Australian staff on Australian servers. We share the report only with the practice that referred you.
For the full explanation, including eligibility, cost and what the pharmacist looks for, read our guide to Home Medicines Reviews. If you want the evidence behind it, see why medicines reviews matter.
Happy to explain first
Ring us if you'd rather understand how it works before raising it with your doctor. No obligation and nothing to pay at any stage.