The Home Medicines Review, explained
A Home Medicines Review (HMR) is an Australian Government–funded program in which a pharmacist visits a person at home, reviews all their medicines, and reports to their referrer and GP. Most referrals come from a GP, although certain specialists can also refer. A funded HMR must be provided at no charge to the patient, while a separate referrer appointment may have its usual fee unless bulk billed. The program has been part of Australian primary care since 2001.
Wondering what it costs or whether your family member qualifies? Cost and eligibility answers both directly.
What is a Home Medicines Review?
An HMR is a structured, one-on-one review of everything a person takes — prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins and herbal supplements — conducted by a credentialed pharmacist in the person’s own home. The pharmacist looks at how the medicines work together, how they’re actually being taken day to day, and any problems worth the referrer’s attention, then sends a written report to the referrer and to the GP if different. The patient’s doctors retain responsibility for prescribing decisions.
People sometimes call this a home medication review. In Australia, the official program name is Home Medicines Review (HMR).
The program is funded under the Australian Government’s Community Pharmacy Programs. You may also see the older name Domiciliary Medication Management Review (DMMR) — same program.
Who is eligible for an HMR?
There is no fixed medicine-count you must reach. For a funded HMR, the patient must hold a current Medicare or DVA card (or be eligible for a Medicare card), live in a community setting, be at risk of or experiencing medication misadventure, and have an identifiable clinical need confirmed by the referring medical practitioner.
Situations where GPs commonly consider one include:
- Taking five or more regular medicines, or more than one prescriber involved
- A recent hospital stay with medicine changes
- Suspected side effects, falls, dizziness or new confusion
- Difficulty managing doses, devices or a complicated routine
- Kidney or liver problems affecting how medicines behave
If any of that sounds like your family member, the signs worth watching for and how to organise a review guides go deeper.
What does an HMR cost?
A funded HMR service must be provided at no charge to the patient. A separate appointment with the referring doctor or specialist may still have its usual fee unless it is bulk billed. If someone does not meet the program eligibility criteria, a provider may offer a private, self-funded medication review instead; that is not a funded HMR.
How is an HMR different from a MedsCheck?
A MedsCheck is conducted in a community pharmacy and does not use the HMR referral and written-report pathway. An HMR is generally conducted in the patient’s home after an eligible medical practitioner referral and includes a clinical assessment and written report to the referrer and the patient’s GP if different. Which service is appropriate depends on the person’s circumstances and clinical need.
How is an HMR different from an RMMR?
A Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) is a separate program for eligible residents of Australian Government-funded residential care facilities. A resident of an aged-care facility is not eligible for a funded HMR; their care team can explain the medication-review pathway available in that setting. HomeMed Reviews does not currently offer RMMRs.
How do you arrange one?
Usually through the person’s GP — either by asking at an appointment, or by getting in touch with me and letting me liaise with the practice (with your family’s consent). Specialists in pain medicine, specialist physicians, specialist psychiatrists and specialists in palliative medicine can also generate an HMR referral. The full step-by-step is on the how it works page. After the referral, the interview happens within the program’s 90-day window. HomeMed’s service aims are an interview within two weeks and a report to the referrer and, when different, the regular GP within three business days of the visit.
For a fuller run-through aimed specifically at families searching for an HMR pharmacist in Melbourne, see HMR pharmacist Melbourne.
Think this fits your family?
Tell me what’s going on and I’ll give you an honest read — and if a review may make sense, I’ll help with the usual referral pathway.
Sources
For GPs & practice managers
Referral pathways and template guides.
Bp Premier and MedicalDirector setup, the referral form PDF, and service standards.