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Guest Post: Medication Review Services 2.0
B.C. PharmaCare medication review services are delivered by community pharmacists to help patients understand and manage their medications, and to identify and resolve drug therapy problems. The service is available to all B.C. residents who meet eligibility criteria.
It has been 11 years since the BC Ministry of Health launched medication review services. Originally designed as a patient care service to enhance understanding of individual medication regimens and resolve drug therapy problems, the service has fallen short of its goal: improving patient outcomes. It is time for a change.
As part of the broader Pharmaceutical Care Management Strategy, the Ministry will embark on a redesign of medication review services. The focus will be on high-impact clinical areas that align with the Ministry of Health Service Plan (PDF). The new operating model—MRS 2.0— will provide pharmacists with the time and space to optimize their practice, delivering the care they are capable of and ultimately making a meaningful difference to their patients.
The new service cannot be created without input from frontline pharmacists and clinical subject matter experts. Pharmacists are invited to:
- take a survey about medication review services (open May 3 to June 2, 2022)
- apply to join an advisory committee
A stakeholder engagement plan is underway.
For more information, please refer to the PharmaCare MRS 2.0 web page and the May 2022 PharmaCare Newsletter.
Jonathan Lau, B.Sc. (Pharm), R.Ph., ACPR
Jonathan is the Director of Pharmaceutical Care Initiatives within the Clinical Services and Evaluation branch of the Pharmaceutical, Laboratory & Blood Services Division at the BC Ministry of Health. In his role, he leads the development of clinical pharmacy service to support the provincial Pharmaceutical Care Management Strategy and improve patient outcomes. Jonathan completed the Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program with Fraser Health Authority. He has over 20 years of pharmacy experience, having worked as a clinical pharmacist, a pharmacy supervisor and more recently a compliance officer with the College of Pharmacists of BC before joining the Ministry of Health.
