“MedsCheck” and “Follow-up Meds Checks” Program, a special services for Ontario residents in Canada.

On April 1st, 2007 the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, collaboratively with Ontario Pharmacy council and the Ontario Pharmacists association, launched ‘Medscheck’, a medication review program, under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program.
Medscheck is a new program which includes a special service provided by community pharmacists, to maximize patient adherence to drug therapy. This service is intended to promote better health outcomes by helping patients better understand their medication therapy and ensure that medications are being taken as prescribed.
As part of this service, the pharmacist will help patients understand drug names, strengths, adverse effects and usage instructions. Pharmacists also ensure that patients are taking medications as their doctor has directed.
This Meds check Medication review must be conducted by the pharmacists as one-on-one interview between patient/caregiver and pharmacist in order to qualify for payment through Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB). ODB will pay pharmacies $50 to provide a medication review to eligible patients. This service is voluntary and free of charge to eligible patients.

Who are eligible for this service ?
All Ontarians taking 3 or more chronic medications qualify for an annual MedsCheck medication review.
Isn’t it great news for Ontarians! It is a good news for pharmacies atleast.
That’s not all;
On November 30, 2007 the government has expanded MedsCheck service to include ‘Follow-up’ visits too, thinking that patients may benefit more from this. An additional service provided to the patient with in the one-year time frame is called ‘follow-up’ MedsChecks. 'Follow-up' MedsChecks may be conducted when there is a significant changes made to an existing medicaton profile or addition of new medication, when patient is non-compliance with his/her medication, or in situations similar to this.
The amount paid to the pharmacy for the “follow-up’ MedsCheck review is $ 25.
I wish all Ontarians, whoever is qualified, will make use of this opportunity.