Taking your medications properly is vital for ensuring they work as they should. If you’re suffering from a long term condition, it’s even more important that you know how you should be taking your medications, and that you’re able to do so without any issues. Luckily, your local pharmacy is able to provide you with a Medicine Use Review, and you may be eligible for the service free of charge.

The service was initially created to help those with respiratory conditions, and after success in that field, was expanded to include patients living with diabetes. The point of the MUR was to enhance the way medicines are used, and improve outcomes for the patients taking those medications.

At an MUR, your local pharmacy team will get to grips with the way you’re using your medications already, and will ask you questions to understand your experience of taking the medications. It’s an opportunity for you to get answers to any queries you have about your medications, to flag up side effects and drug interactions that may be affecting your ability to adhere to the proper use of the medications, and to resolve poor or ineffective use of your prescribed medications.

In a MUR, your pharmacist will ask you about your medication and offer advice on a wide range of issues. If you’re experiencing side effects, they can help you deal with or avoid them. If you’re having difficulty ordering medicines, getting or taking them, they will be able to help with that, too. To ensure your medicines work as well as possible for you, your pharmacist will be able to pass any recommendations directly to your GP.

Overall, an MUR is an important part of your treatment if you’re suffering from a long term condition. Visiting your pharmacist, or giving them a call, can help you improve the clinical and cost effectiveness of your medication, reduce wastage, and get peace of mind on things that may be worrying you.

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Pharmacists have reported outstanding patient outcomes following the MUR service, but the public is still largely unaware of the availability of the service. If you, or someone you know, is struggling to adhere to the correct usage of their prescribed medication, try getting in touch with your local pharmacy to see if you can arrange a Medicine Usage Review at a time that’s convenient for you.