Practice Resources: PharmaCheck... Am I Getting the Most from My Medication? (en français)

PharmaCheck is a recommended practice tool for Ontario's Meds Check Program.

A practice tool developed to quickly identify common medication issues in adults on chronic medications. The program centers on a plain language Patient Screening Tool. Flexible and easy to use in a busy pharmacy. Build your practice by making sure that your patients are getting the most from their medications. PharmaCheck is a great program for pharmacy students to use to help develop communication and patient assessment skills - both in the classroom and as part of clinical placements in pharmacies.

CPhA members can download a complete copy of the PharmaCheck kit for FREE! If you are not a member, click here to join or visit our store to purchase.

What Is PharmaCheck?

The PharmaCheck program, formerly called "Just Checking", provides pharmacists with the tools to quickly identify and resolve common medication issues in older adults or patients taking chronic medications. The program was designed with older adults in mind, but is applicable to a wide range of adults. The program centers on a plain language Patient Screening Tool. The issues may be simple ones, such as "I have trouble opening the medication bottle" or "I have trouble reading the label on my medication", to more complex ones, such as "I feel that my medication is making me sick" or "I sometimes change the amount of medication I am taking". Pharmacists can ask their patients to complete the screening tool, review their answers, then work with them to resolve any problems.

Why PharmaCheck?

Patients on numerous medications might have relatively straightforward medication-related problems and concerns that can quickly and easily be resolved by a pharmacist. A paper from the National Forum on Health stated many compliance problems are due to the perception that the drug is unnecessary or produces undesirable side effects. The PharmaCheck patient screening tool asks specific questions about medication use and perceptions to help identify problems.

What Does the PharmaCheck Kit Contain?

• A 16-page guide explaining how to use the program, ideas for incorporating it into your practice, enhancing relations with older adults, and a series of response guides. From simple problems to more complex ones, these guides will help meet patient needs.
• There are three forms for you to use: the Patient Screening Tool, the Pharmacist Assessment Tool, and the Patient Assessment and Management Form.

How Can PharmaCheck Enhance My Pharmacy Practice?

PharmaCheck is designed for use in all pharmacy settings. Be creative - adapt the program to fit your needs!

• Many patients have simple problems that pharmacists can quickly resolve - impress them with your service.
• Ask patients to complete the Patient Screening Tool while waiting for a prescription.
• For students, use in your clinical placements in pharmacies.
• Use as a preliminary step to a comprehensive medication use review.
• Enhance the services you provide to nursing homes.
• Incorporate it as part of the medication history for hospitalized patients or in Geriatric Assessment Units or Seniors Day Hospitals.
• Promote your pharmacy services to physicians in your area.
• Increase medication awareness at "Seniors Days" or "Clinic Days".

CPhA developed the PharmaCheck program, originally called "Just Checking", in 1999 with a Pharmacist Expert Advisory Committee and the Lambton Seniors Association (Ontario). The program was made possible by a grant from the Population Health Fund of Health Canada and was part of CPhA's contribution to "International Year of Older Persons" in 1999.

For more information, please contact:
Heather Mohr, Project Manager, Professional and Membership Affairs
Tel: (613) 523-7877, ext 248 or 1-800-917-9489
Fax: (613) 523-0445