Skip to content Ontario.ca Français

MedsCheck

Frequently Asked Questions for Ontario Residents

• What is MedsCheck?
• Who developed MedsCheck?
• Who is eligible for MedsCheck?
• I am responsible for taking care of my (parent/child) and give them their daily medication - am I eligible to meet with the pharmacist to have a MedsCheck?
• Why is having a MedsCheck important?
• What do you mean by adverse drug reactions?
• How often can I have a MedsCheck?
• How do I get a MedsCheck appointment?
• What do I need to bring?
• How much does a MedsCheck appointment cost?
• Are these services available in all areas of the province?
• How does a LTC Home decide which pharmacist to use? Is this a resident's decision, or the manager of the facility? If it is the facility, how do they decide?
• I live up north and there’s no pharmacy in my community – can I get a MedsCheck review done at home?
• Does the government fund MedsCheck?
• When was MedsCheck launched?

---

What is MedsCheck?

MedsCheck is a, one-on-one 20-30 minute appointment with your pharmacist to review your medications and help you better understand their medication therapy and ensure that medications are taken as prescribed.

Who developed MedsCheck?

MedsCheck, a medication management program, was developed by the ministry in collaboration with the Ontario Pharmacists' Association and the Ontario Pharmacy Council.

Who is eligible for MedsCheck?

There are four types of MedsCheck services. The eligibility criteria is as follows:

1. MedsCheck Annual – This is the original program and all Ontarians who are taking three or more prescription medications for a chronic condition are eligible. Should a patient require the service more than once during the year, he or she may qualify for a MedsCheck Follow-up appointment under defined criteria.
2. MedsCheck for Diabetes: for patients who are diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes; all are eligible, whether or not they are taking prescription medications to help manage their diabetes.
3. MedsCheck for LTC: for patients living in a licensed LTC Home, in-depth annual reviews as well as quarterly reviews are included.
4. MedsCheck at Home: for patients who are taking a minimum of three chronic prescription medications and not able to physically attend the community pharmacy for the review. This service also includes a medicine cabinet cleanup in which the pharmacist may take unused medications back to the pharmacy for proper disposal..

I am responsible for taking care of my (parent/child) and give them their daily medication - am I eligible to meet with the pharmacist to have a MedsCheck?

A caregiver may meet with a patient's pharmacist for a MedsCheck medication review. The patient must make every effort to attend the review. If they are unable, the patient must acknowledge their consent for the pharmacist to conduct the review with the caregiver.

Why is having a MedsCheck important?

MedsCheck will ensure Ontarians adhere to their drug therapy to avoid adverse drug reactions.

What do you mean by adverse drug reactions?

Some over-the-counter medications can interfere with certain health conditions and adversely affect some prescription medications. Decongestants, for example, are often taken to relieve cold symptoms, but can have the effect of raising blood pressure.

How often can I have a MedsCheck?

You can have a MedsCheck appointment once a year. A MedsCheck Annual or MedsCheck at Home can be done one year after the initial MedsCheck appointment. You and your pharmacist can look into conducting a MedsCheck Follow-Up sooner under specific circumstances, such as:

• You are scheduled for a hospital admission;
• You’ve recently been discharged from hospital;
• You’ve had significant changes in your medication therapy or
• You’re been referred for a MedsCheck Follow-Up by your physician

How do I get a MedsCheck appointment?

Just set up an appointment with your local pharmacist.

What do I need to bring?

You need to bring all the medications you are taking, including non-prescription drugs and your OHIP/default.aspx">OHIP (health card)

How much does a MedsCheck appointment cost?

MedsCheck is a free service to all Ontarians who are eligible

Are these services available in all areas of the province?

Yes, all Ontario community pharmacies may provide the MedsCheck service.

How does a LTC Home decide which pharmacist to use? Is this a resident's decision, or the manager of the facility? If it is the facility, how do they decide?

A LTC Home must retain a pharmacy service provider (an Ontario accredited pharmacy) through a written contract. Contracts are done through a tendering process. The pharmacy employees pharmacists who will conduct the MedsCheck for LTC professional services. Residents of LTC Homes are automatically affiliated with the pharmacy service provider that is contracted with the home.

I live up north and there’s no pharmacy in my community – can I get a MedsCheck review done at home?

Patients should contact the pharmacy that typically dispenses their medications to discuss which of the MedsCheck services are suitable for them. It is possible that they may be eligible for a MedsCheck at Home.

Does the government fund MedsCheck?

Yes, the government pays the community pharmacy for each completed MedsCheck review.

When was MedsCheck launched?

MedsCheck was launched April 1, 2007 for patients who were beneficiaries of the Ontario Drug Benefit Program. In July 2007 the program was expanded to include all Ontarians who take three or more prescription medications for a chronic condition. In November, 2007, the program was expanded to include the MedsCheck Follow-Up program for defined criteria.

In September 2010, the program was expanded to include those who were not eligible or able to benefit from the original MedsCheck. The expanded programs now reach residents of licensed Long-Term Care Homes, all people in Ontario who are living with diabetes as well as those who are home-bound and not able to attend their community pharmacy for the service in person due to physical or mental mobility reasons.