The short answer is yes, absolutely. In fact, in the modern NHS, the pharmacist is often the most qualified person to sit down with you and look at your prescription list.
If you are taking more than three different medications—a situation known as “polypharmacy”—having an annual review is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy and avoid side effects.
Here is everything you need to know about why, when, and how to book a tablet review with a pharmacist.
A medication review (or “tablet review”) is a confidential consultation where you and a healthcare professional look at all the medicines you take. The goal is to ensure that every pill, inhaler, or cream is still doing its job, is safe to take with your other meds, and isn’t causing unnecessary side effects.
Why a Pharmacist is Often Better Than a Doctor
While GPs are experts in diagnosis, Clinical Pharmacists are the ultimate experts in pharmacology (how drugs work in the body).
Specialised Knowledge: They understand complex drug-to-drug interactions that a busy GP might overlook.
Time: A GP appointment is typically 10 minutes. A pharmacist review is often 20–30 minutes, giving you time to ask, “Why am I actually taking this?”
Deprescribing: Pharmacists are trained to spot “prescribing cascades”—where you are given a second drug just to treat the side effects of the first one. They can help you safely reduce or stop medications you no longer need.
You no longer have to wait at a high-street chemist for this service. Most GP practices now have In-House Clinical Pharmacists who work directly as part of the surgery team.
Surgery-Based Pharmacists: These professionals have full access to your medical records, blood test results, and consultant letters. They can change your prescriptions directly.
Community Pharmacists: Your local “high street” pharmacist can also perform a “New Medicine Service” (NMS) if you’ve just started a new drug for a condition like blood pressure or anticoagulation.
You do not always need to see a pharmacist face-to-face. Many reviews are now conducted over the phone or via video call, which is often more convenient for patients.
Booking: You can book these appointments in advance through your surgery receptionist or online app.
The Discussion: They will ask if you are having trouble swallowing your tablets, if you keep forgetting doses, or if you’ve noticed new symptoms like dizziness, rashes, or stomach pain.
The Outcome: If the pharmacist identifies a problem, they can often fix it there and then. If a more complex medical decision is needed, they have the authority to book you a priority follow-up with a GP.
The role of the pharmacist is expanding rapidly. In the very near future (and in many areas already), clinical pharmacists will take the lead on Long-Term Condition Reviews. This includes:
Asthma and COPD: Checking your inhaler technique and adjusting dosages.
Hypertension: Managing your blood pressure readings and titration.
Diabetes: Reviewing your glucose-lowering medications and foot health.
You don’t have to wait for the surgery to call you. You should proactively ask for a “Pharmacist Medication Review” if:
You are taking 4 or more regular medications.
You have recently been discharged from the hospital with new medications.
You feel your medication is no longer working or is making you feel unwell.
You are struggling to manage multiple “repeat” prescriptions with different end dates.
Pro Tip: Doctors’ appointments are often reserved for “acute” or urgent illnesses. If you ask for a “medication review” with a doctor, you may face a long wait. Asking for the Pharmacist usually gets you seen much faster and results in a more thorough check.
| Feature | GP Doctor Review | Clinical Pharmacist Review |
| Primary Focus | Diagnosis and new symptoms | Drug safety and optimisation |
| Typical Duration | 10 Minutes | 20–30 Minutes |
| Wait Time | Often long (non-urgent) | Usually shorter |
| Expertise | Clinical medicine | Pharmacology and interactions |
| Outcome | New diagnosis/referral | Better regime / fewer side effects |
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