Medication Safety Risk Assessment
Assess Your Medication Safety Risk
Answer a few questions to see your risk of medication-related issues. This tool helps you identify if you should schedule an annual medication review with your pharmacist.
Your Medication Safety Risk Assessment
Why this matters
Medication reviews can identify duplicate prescriptions, dangerous interactions, and medications that may no longer be needed. According to the NIH, 40% of adults over 65 take four or more long-term medications, which is the #1 reason seniors end up in the hospital from medication errors.
Next steps:
- Bring all your medications to a pharmacist for an annual review
- Ask about possible duplications or interactions
- Check if you're eligible for a free review through Medicare Part D
Every year, millions of Americans take medications that don’t belong in their regimen. Some are duplicates. Others cause side effects no one noticed-until they landed in the ER. The good news? There’s a simple, proven way to stop this before it happens: an annual medication review with a pharmacist.
It’s not a doctor’s appointment. It’s not a quick chat at the pickup window. It’s a 30-minute, one-on-one session where a pharmacist sits down with you, looks at every pill, patch, capsule, and supplement you’re taking, and asks: Do you really need all of these?
Why Your Doctor Might Not Catch This
Your doctor sees 20 patients a day. Each visit lasts 15 minutes. They’re focused on your blood pressure, your diabetes, your joint pain. They don’t have time to dig into your medicine cabinet. And you? You probably didn’t mention the ibuprofen you take for your back, the melatonin for sleep, or the gummy vitamins your neighbor swore by.
That’s where pharmacists come in. They’re the only healthcare professionals trained to see the whole picture-how every drug interacts, how side effects stack up, and which ones are no longer doing any good. A 2023 study from the National Institute of Health found that nearly 40% of adults over 65 take four or more long-term medications. That’s called polypharmacy. And it’s the #1 reason seniors end up in the hospital from medication errors.
What Happens During an Annual Medication Review
It’s simple. Three steps.
- You bring everything. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter pills, herbal supplements, even the ones in your car or bedside drawer. Don’t leave anything out. Pharmacists see 40-50% of patients forget something-and it’s often the most dangerous part.
- They ask the hard questions. Why are you taking this? Does it still help? Are you having dizziness, fatigue, stomach pain, or confusion? These aren’t just "getting older" symptoms. They could be your meds talking.
- You leave with a plan. Maybe you stop one pill. Maybe you switch to a cheaper version. Maybe you start using a pill organizer. The goal? Fewer side effects, fewer trips to the hospital, and more clarity.
One woman in Ohio came in complaining of constant fatigue. Her doctor thought it was sleep apnea. Her pharmacist found she was taking two different medications for high blood pressure-both with the same active ingredient. She cut one. Within two weeks, her energy returned.
Who Benefits Most
This isn’t just for seniors. It’s for anyone on five or more medications. But if you fit any of these, you’re a prime candidate:
- You take four or more prescriptions daily
- You’ve been hospitalized for a side effect you didn’t expect
- You take supplements or OTC meds regularly
- You’ve noticed memory lapses, dizziness, or stomach issues since starting a new drug
- You’re on Medicare Part D (you’re entitled to a free CMR)
Even if you think you’re doing fine, a review can uncover hidden risks. A 2022 report from Cardinal Health found that 30% of patients on long-term meds were taking at least one unnecessary drug. And 15% were taking two drugs that canceled each other out or made side effects worse.
What You’ll Actually Get Out of It
People who get their annual review say the same things:
- "I didn’t know I was taking the same thing twice." Duplicate prescriptions are shockingly common. One man was taking two different brands of metformin. His pharmacist caught it. He saved $300 a month.
- "I thought my aches were aging. They were my meds." Muscle pain, nausea, confusion-these are often labeled as "normal" in older adults. But they’re classic signs of drug toxicity.
- "I finally understood why I was taking each pill." Most people can’t explain what their meds do. Pharmacists change that. They explain how each one works-and why it matters.
- "I stopped three pills. I feel better." That’s not a myth. The NIH found that removing just one unnecessary medication reduced hospital visits by 22% in high-risk patients.
How to Prepare
Don’t walk in blind. Bring:
- All prescription bottles (even empty ones)
- Every OTC pill, cream, or nasal spray
- All vitamins, herbs, and supplements (including CBD and protein powders)
- A list of your doctors’ names and contact info
- Any recent lab results or hospital discharge papers
Write down any symptoms you’ve noticed: dizziness, nausea, sleep changes, mood swings. Don’t wait for them to ask. If you’ve had a fall, a stomach bleed, or an unexplained rash-mention it. These are red flags.
What It Costs (And Why It’s Free for Many)
Under Medicare Part D, eligible beneficiaries get a free Annual Medication Review. No copay. No extra fee. It’s part of your coverage.
Most commercial insurers now offer similar programs. Check your plan’s website or call customer service. If you’re not on Medicare, ask your local pharmacy. Many independent pharmacies offer the review for $25-$50, often waived if you fill your prescriptions there.
And here’s the kicker: every dollar spent on a medication review saves $3-$5 in avoided hospital stays, ER visits, and emergency care. That’s why insurers are pushing it.
What Doesn’t Work
Not all reviews are equal. If the pharmacist just scans your list and says, "Looks good," you got a bad one.
A real review includes:
- Discussion of your goals (e.g., "I want to sleep better," "I want to stop feeling foggy")
- Review of side effects you’ve experienced
- Check for drug-disease conflicts (e.g., NSAIDs for someone with kidney disease)
- Recommendations sent to your doctor
- Follow-up plan
If they don’t offer to send a summary to your doctor? Ask. If they don’t schedule a follow-up? Find another pharmacy.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
By 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 or older. That’s 75 million people-most on multiple medications. Right now, only about 60% of eligible Medicare patients even get their annual review. That’s a crisis waiting to happen.
Adverse drug events cause 1.5 million hospitalizations each year. That’s 20% of all medication-related emergencies. And nearly half of those are preventable.
Pharmacists aren’t just dispensers. They’re safety netters. They’re the ones who notice when your blood pressure med is making your kidneys weak. Or when your cholesterol pill is making your muscles ache. Or when your sleep aid is making your balance worse.
And they’re everywhere. 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy. You don’t need a referral. You don’t need an appointment months out. Walk in. Bring your meds. Ask for the review.
Final Thought
You wouldn’t drive a car with 10 different manuals, half of them outdated. Why do it with your body? Your medications are your car. Every pill is a part. Too many? Wrong ones? They’ll break down.
An annual medication review isn’t about cutting pills. It’s about keeping you safe, strong, and in control. And it’s easier than you think.
Is an annual medication review only for seniors?
No. While seniors are the most common candidates because they’re more likely to be on multiple medications, anyone taking four or more prescriptions, supplements, or OTC drugs should get one. People with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or depression often benefit too-even if they’re under 65.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
No. You can walk into almost any pharmacy and ask for a Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR). Many pharmacies even call you when it’s time for your annual review. If you’re on Medicare Part D, you’re automatically eligible.
What if I don’t want to stop my meds?
The pharmacist doesn’t decide for you. Their job is to explain risks, benefits, and alternatives. If a medication isn’t helping-or is causing harm-they’ll tell you. But you’re the one who chooses whether to stop, switch, or keep it. They’ll even help you talk to your doctor if you’re unsure.
Can I do this online or over the phone?
Some pharmacies offer virtual reviews, especially for patients with mobility issues. But an in-person review is more effective. Seeing your pill bottles, checking labels, and using visual tools like pill organizers makes it easier to spot duplicates or errors. If you’re eligible for Medicare, you’re entitled to an in-person review.
Will my doctor be upset if I go to a pharmacist instead?
No. Most doctors encourage it. Pharmacists send a written summary to your doctor after the review. Many doctors actually prefer that pharmacists handle medication reviews because they have more time and specialized training. It’s teamwork-not competition.
How often should I get a review?
Once a year is the standard. But if you’ve had a major health change-new diagnosis, hospital stay, or side effect-you should schedule one sooner. Some pharmacies offer mid-year check-ins for high-risk patients. Ask.
Adam Short
February 15, 2026 AT 11:33Let me get this straight - we’re now outsourcing critical health decisions to pharmacy counter clerks? In Britain, we’ve got NHS pharmacists who actually know what they’re doing, but here? You’re telling me some guy in a white coat with a clipboard is gonna fix our broken healthcare system? This is just another corporate ploy to shift liability away from doctors. I’ve seen these reviews - they’re 10 minutes long, the pharmacist barely glances at your meds, and then they hand you a pamphlet. Pathetic.
Prateek Nalwaya
February 15, 2026 AT 22:33Wow. This is the kind of quiet revolution we need - not loud protests, not political speeches, but a pharmacist sitting across from you, asking, ‘Why are you still taking this?’ It’s radical in its simplicity. In India, we call this ‘dawa ka samajh’ - understanding your medicine. Most elders hoard pills like heirlooms, afraid to let go. But when someone gently explains how that sleepy-time pill is making your kidneys work overtime? That’s not healthcare. That’s love in a lab coat. I wish every pharmacy had this kind of soul.