Helping Someone Else With Medication

Many people help a parent, partner, relative or friend manage their medication. This support might involve ordering prescriptions, collecting medicines, checking supplies or helping the person remember what to take and when.

The amount of help required will depend on the individual. Some people may only need an occasional reminder, while others may require more regular support.

Talk to the person first

Where possible, discuss what help the person would like and involve them in decisions about their medication.

They should continue to manage as much of their medication as they can safely and comfortably. Support should promote their independence rather than remove it unnecessarily.

Consent and nominated contacts

A patient can give permission for the pharmacy to discuss their medication and prescription arrangements with a nominated family member, friend or representative.

We can record the nominated person’s details on the patient’s pharmacy record. This helps us communicate with the right person while protecting the patient’s confidential information.

Permission to collect a prescription does not automatically give someone permission to discuss all aspects of the patient’s healthcare. Please speak to our pharmacy team if you are unsure what consent or authority may be required.

Ordering prescriptions

Check the person’s medication regularly so prescriptions can be requested before supplies run out.

It may help to:

• Keep a current list of regular medicines

• Choose a regular day to check supplies

• Order repeat prescriptions in good time

• Check which medicines the pharmacy reorders and which must be requested directly from the GP surgery

• Request medicines taken only when required when supplies are running low

• Tell the pharmacy promptly about medication changes

Do not order medicines simply because they appear on an old repeat list. Check that the person is still taking them.

Collecting medication

A family member, friend or representative can usually collect medication for someone else.

The pharmacy may ask for the patient’s name, address and date of birth. For some medicines, additional identification or information may be required.

Check the medication before leaving the pharmacy where possible. If anything is missing, looks different or is not expected, ask the pharmacy team.

Keeping track of supplies

Keep regular medicines together in a safe, dry place unless their labels give different storage instructions.

You may find it helpful to:

• Check supplies at the same time each week

• Keep medicines in their original labelled packaging

• Separate current medicines from discontinued or unwanted medicines

• Note when creams, inhalers, liquids and when-required medicines are running low

• Return unwanted or discontinued medicines to the pharmacy for safe disposal

Do not stockpile medication unnecessarily, and never share medicines with another person.

Helping with a medication organiser

A reusable or disposable weekly organiser may help some people manage tablets and capsules.

Before filling an organiser:

• Use an up-to-date medication list and current pharmacy labels

• Make sure you understand what each medicine is and when it should be taken

• Choose a quiet, well-lit area

• Fill the organiser without interruptions

• Check each compartment carefully when finished

• Keep medicines that cannot be placed in the organiser in their original packaging

Not every medicine is suitable for removal from its original packaging. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.

Using a Kardex and MAR chart

A Personal Medication Kardex provides a clear list of current medicines. Each medicine is given a reference letter, such as Medicine A, B or C.

The Personal MAR chart can then be used to record the letters of the medicines actually taken or given at each medication time.

For example, entering:

A, C, D

means that medicines A, C and D on the Kardex were taken or given.

The person helping should also add their initials. If a medicine was not taken, record this in the notes section and explain why.

Helping the person remember

Simple reminders may be enough for someone who can take their medication safely but sometimes forgets.

Options include:

• Phone or tablet reminders

• Alarm clocks

• Smart-speaker reminders

• Keeping medication beside a regular activity, where it can be stored safely

• A written medication schedule

• A Kardex and MAR chart

• Regular prompts from a family member or friend

A reminder is only suitable if the person can understand it and take the correct medicine safely.

When medication changes

Ask the person to tell you about any changes made by their GP, hospital, clinic or pharmacy.

Do not update an organiser, Kardex or MAR chart from memory. Check the new prescription, discharge information or pharmacy label.

Keep new and discontinued medicines separate until the instructions are clear. Return discontinued medicines to the pharmacy when they are no longer required.

If two sets of instructions appear to conflict, contact the pharmacy, GP or prescriber before the medicine is taken.

Recognising when more support may be needed

Speak to our pharmacy team if the person:

• Frequently misses or repeats doses

• Is unsure which medicines to take

• Regularly runs out of medication

• Cannot read or open the packaging

• Has difficulty filling or using an organiser

• Has memory or dexterity difficulties

• Has recently returned home from hospital

• Has had several medication changes

• Is no longer able to manage safely with reminders or family support

Our pharmacy team can discuss the difficulties being experienced and help identify suitable options. These may include larger labels, easy-open packaging, reminders, a medication record, a self-fill organiser, help with ordering or our private PillRoll medication management service.

Professional carers

This guidance is intended for relatives, friends and other unpaid helpers. Professional carers and care providers should follow their organisation’s medication policies, training requirements and formal MAR procedures.

If you are unsure what support is appropriate, please speak to our pharmacy team.