Annual Medication Review with a Pharmacist: Reduce Side Effects and Stay Safe

Every year, thousands of people in New Zealand and around the world take medications that no longer help them - or worse, cause harm. You might not even realize it. A persistent headache, dizziness when standing up, or feeling unusually tired could be side effects from a pill you’ve been taking for years. These aren’t just normal signs of aging. They’re red flags. And they’re often fixable - with a simple, free annual medication review with your pharmacist.

What an Annual Medication Review Actually Does

An Annual Medication Review isn’t just a quick chat about your prescriptions. It’s a full clinical check-up for everything you swallow, sprinkle, or apply. Your pharmacist sits down with you - usually for 30 minutes - and looks at every single thing you take: prescription drugs, over-the-counter painkillers, vitamins, herbal supplements, even eye drops or skin creams. They don’t just check names and doses. They ask: Why are you taking this? Is it still helping? Could it be hurting you?

This isn’t guesswork. Pharmacists are trained to spot hidden dangers. For example, someone taking five different medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and sleep might not realize two of them cause dizziness together. Or that a common antacid is making their osteoporosis meds useless. These are the kinds of problems doctors miss in a 7-minute appointment. Pharmacists have the time, the tools, and the expertise to catch them.

Who Needs This Most - And Why

If you’re taking four or more long-term medications, you’re in the high-risk group. That’s called polypharmacy. About 40% of adults over 65 in the U.S. are in this group. Here in New Zealand, the numbers are similar. Older adults are more likely to have multiple conditions - and more likely to feel side effects. But it’s not just seniors. People with chronic illnesses like heart disease, kidney problems, or depression often juggle several drugs. And if you’ve been to the hospital in the past year, you’re even more at risk.

The biggest danger? Side effects that get mistaken for aging. “I just get tired now,” people say. Or, “My balance isn’t what it used to be.” But fatigue and dizziness are common signs of drug interactions. One study found that up to 20% of hospital admissions for older adults are caused by medication errors - not accidents or infections. That’s preventable.

And here’s the truth: about half of people don’t take their meds as prescribed. Maybe they forget. Maybe they’re scared of side effects. Maybe the pills cost too much. A pharmacist can help with all of it. They can suggest cheaper alternatives, simplify your routine, or even talk to your doctor about stopping something you don’t need anymore.

What Happens During the Review

It’s simple. You show up with all your meds in a bag - no sorting, no labeling needed. Just bring everything. Your pharmacist will ask:

• What’s each medicine for? (Many people don’t know)
• Are you having any new symptoms? (Even small ones)
• Are you skipping doses? Why?
• Are you taking anything else? (Including fish oil, turmeric, or melatonin)

Then they check for:

• Duplicate drugs - like taking two different pills for the same condition
• Drug interactions - how your meds work together (or against each other)
• Outdated prescriptions - drugs you stopped needing after surgery or recovery
• Dosing errors - too much, too little, or the wrong time of day

They don’t just point out problems. They give you a plan. Maybe they recommend stopping one pill. Maybe they suggest switching to a lower dose. Maybe they set up a blister pack so you don’t miss doses. And if something needs a doctor’s approval, they’ll write it down and send it over - no extra call from you needed.

Real Results People Experience

One woman in Hamilton was taking eight medications. She felt foggy all day and thought it was just getting older. Her pharmacist found she was on two different blood pressure drugs that did the same thing - and one was causing her dizziness. After stopping the duplicate, her energy came back. She didn’t need the extra pill anymore.

Another man in Tauranga had chronic stomach pain. He thought it was from his arthritis meds. Turns out, his daily antacid was blocking his osteoporosis drug from working. He was losing bone density. His pharmacist switched him to a different acid reducer that didn’t interfere. His bone scan improved in six months.

These aren’t rare cases. Studies show that after a medication review, up to 30% of patients have at least one medication stopped or changed. Hospital visits for drug-related problems drop by 25%. And patients report feeling more in control of their health - not just taking pills, but understanding them.

What You Should Bring

Don’t rely on memory. Bring:

• All prescription bottles (even ones you think you don’t use)
• All over-the-counter pills - painkillers, cold meds, antacids
• All vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies
• Your list of allergies or bad reactions
• Any recent lab results or hospital discharge papers

If you can’t bring the bottles, write down: the name, dose, how often you take it, and why. Don’t skip the supplements. Many people forget them - but they can cause serious interactions. St. John’s Wort, for example, can make antidepressants, birth control, or blood thinners stop working.

Why Your Doctor Can’t Do This Alone

Your doctor is amazing. But they see 30 patients a day. They don’t have time to dig into every pill you’ve ever taken. Pharmacists do. They’re the only healthcare pros whose whole job is understanding how drugs work - together, over time, in real bodies.

Also, most doctors don’t know what you’re taking over the counter. You might not tell them. But your pharmacist will ask. And they’ll know if that cough syrup you’re using has the same active ingredient as your cold pill - doubling your dose without you realizing it.

This isn’t about replacing your doctor. It’s about giving you a second set of expert eyes. And those eyes are right down the street.

Cost, Access, and How to Get Started

In New Zealand, many pharmacies offer Annual Medication Reviews for free - especially if you’re on a government subsidy or have a Community Services Card. Even if you pay for your meds, the review itself is often included. Ask your local pharmacy. If they don’t offer it, ask them to start.

You don’t need a referral. Just walk in or call. Say: “I’d like to schedule my Annual Medication Review.” Most pharmacies will book you for 30 minutes. Some even offer home visits if you can’t get out.

Don’t wait for a crisis. Don’t wait until you’re dizzy or confused. Do it now. If you’ve been on the same meds for over a year, it’s time.

What Happens After the Review

You’ll get a written summary - a list of what you’re taking, what’s been changed, and why. Keep this. Give a copy to your doctor. Put it in your wallet. Use it when you see a new specialist or go to the hospital.

You might also get help organizing your pills. Blister packs, pill boxes, or phone reminders can make a huge difference. Some pharmacies even sync your refills so everything comes in at once - no more running out of one pill while you’re stocked up on another.

And if you’re happy with the review? Tell your friends. Share your story. The more people ask for it, the more pharmacies will make it standard.

Common Myths - Busted

• Myth: “I’m healthy. I don’t need this.”
  Truth: Even one medication can cause side effects. You don’t need to be sick to benefit.
• Myth: “My doctor knows what I’m taking.”
  Truth: Doctors don’t always know about OTC or herbal meds. You might be hiding them because you think they’re “not real medicine.” They are.
• Myth: “It’s too much work.”
  Truth: The hardest part is gathering your meds. The pharmacist does the rest. You sit, talk, and walk out with a clearer plan.
• Myth: “They’ll just take away my meds.”
  Truth: Most reviews don’t remove anything. They clarify, simplify, and protect. Sometimes, they add something - like a vitamin you’re missing.

Final Thought: Safety Isn’t an Accident

Medication safety isn’t about luck. It’s about systems. And the system that works best is one where you, your pharmacist, and your doctor are all on the same page. An Annual Medication Review is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way to make sure you’re not being harmed by the very things meant to help you.

It’s not a luxury. It’s a basic part of staying healthy - especially as you get older or manage more conditions. You wouldn’t skip a car service just because the engine still runs. Don’t skip your medication check just because you feel okay.

Your pills are powerful. Treat them like tools - not afterthoughts.