Medication Review Services 2.0

On this page: Background | Goals and targets

Background

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.

Since its inception in 2011, the impact of medication review services has been analyzed by several organizations over the years. UBC research published in 2016 in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association and a 2017 assessment by the Therapeutics Initiative (TI) found that medication review services “did not significantly modify prescription drug use by recipients” (UBC), were “unproven interventions”, and that “clinicians needed time, tools, and training to conduct quality medication reviews” (TI).

Although a 2020 Ministry literature review found that pharmacist-led interventions point to positive outcomes related to diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol, the evidence didn’t support PharmaCare’s current service delivery model. Recent analysis of BC PharmaCare medication review services data from 2015-2019, and alternate reimbursement scenarios modeled within the Ministry, concluded that minor adjustments within the existing service framework would be insufficient to address the underlying design limitations of the existing services.

Goals and targets

MRS 2.0 will transform the current medication review services into high-impact clinical services, and will be delivered in phases, with Phase One laying the foundation for broader future phases. The services will target areas of unmet need and align with both the Province’s Pharmaceutical Care Management Strategy and the Ministry Service Plan.Phase One will focus on two critically needed services:

1. Deprescribing in patients aged 65 and older, and
2. Pain management and opioid stewardship

The Ministry will develop the new services in close partnership with our stakeholders, including frontline community pharmacists, clinical subject matter experts and professional organizations. Two separate advisory committees, one for each clinical area, will be established to inform the project direction.