Retrospective evaluation of <scp>MedsCheck</scp> and Diabetes <scp>MedsCheck</scp> service via community pharmacies

Abstract Background Certain medications used during acute illness can increase the risk of drug‐related problems such as acute kidney injury, especially for individuals with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Sick day medication guidance, which involves withholding certain medications during acute illness, can help prevent these complications. However, no studies have examined if any sick day medication guidance is provided through government‐funded in‐pharmacy medication review services like MedsCheck and Diabetes MedsCheck, which are designed to prevent actual or potential drug‐related problems. Aim This study aimed to characterize potential drug‐related problems and recommendations provided by community pharmacists and to determine the extent of sick day medication guidance provided within these services. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on MedsCheck and Diabetes MedsCheck reports from Australian community pharmacies over a one‐year period. Data included demographic and health characteristics, potential drug‐related problems, and recommendations. Differences between groups were analyzed using independent sample t ‐tests and Pearson chi‐square ( χ 2 ) tests ( p &lt; 0.05). Results Of the 122 780 reports analyzed, 90.1% indicated one potential drug‐related problem, primarily related to “adherence” and “other” issues. The most common recommendation was “…consumer medicines information” (36.8% MedsCheck and 25.0% Diabetes MedsCheck). Despite 55.6% of MedsCheck and 91.9% of Diabetes MedsCheck participants using at least one medication requiring withholding, no sick day medication guidance information was provided. Conclusion Integrating sick day medication guidance into MedsChecks and Diabetes MedsChecks may prevent certain drug‐related problems like acute kidney injury and represents one of many areas for optimization in these medication review programs. Future research should evaluate the impact of providing such guidance, including hospitalizations and acute kidney injury development.