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The Discharge Medicines Review (DMR) Service

The Discharge Medicines Review (DMR) Service is a free NHS service offered at all community pharmacies for people who have recently been discharged from hospital.

It helps make sure your medicines are safe, correct and working well for you once you are back home. When you are discharged from hospital, you may be given a brown envelope with your medicines’ information. Medicines information can be a lot to take in whilst unwell in hospital, so this service gives you the chance to go through everything again face to face with a pharmacist when you feel ready. Additionally, a hospital stay can mean your medications have been changed. The DMR service is intended to make sure your medicines are correct and up to date, reduce the risk of errors or side effects and help you understand your medicines better.

Your community pharmacist will:

  • Check your medicines against your discharge information
  • Make sure you have all the medicines you need and make sure any old ones are stopped
  • Explain what each medicine is for and how to take it
  • Talk to your GP if any issues or changes need sorting
  • Answer questions or concerns, helping you avoid extra trips to your GP or hospital

They will also check if you are still using all your medicines. This helps prevent waste, unnecessary repeat prescriptions and stockpiling at home.

You will be offered a follow-up review to see how you are getting on.

 

The service should take place within four weeks of leaving hospital.