Medication Changes and Hospital Discharge
Medication may change following a GP appointment, hospital stay or review by another healthcare professional.
Always check:
- Which medicine has changed
- Whether a medicine has been started or stopped
- Whether the strength, dose or time has changed
- When the change should begin
Do not change medication from memory. Follow the latest prescription, discharge information and pharmacy label. If anything is unclear or instructions conflict, contact your pharmacist, GP or prescriber.
Original packs, organisers and medication records
Keep new medicines in their original labelled packaging. Separate discontinued medicines and return them to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
Update any weekly organiser, Kardex, MAR chart or medication reminder carefully. Do not reuse a discontinued medicine’s Kardex letter for another medicine during the same MAR month.
PillRoll changes
If you use PillRoll, please advise the PillRoll team about any medication changes as soon as possible.
Late changes may need to be supplied separately in their original packaging until your next PillRoll cycle. Do not open or alter PillRoll sachets unless advised by the pharmacy team.
Hospital discharge
Before leaving hospital, confirm which medicines should now be taken, which have stopped and whether any doses have changed. Keep your discharge information with the medicines supplied.
If you use PillRoll:
- Ask the hospital to send your discharge prescription or medication information to McKay Pharmacy
- Tell the PillRoll team that you have returned home
- Ask the hospital to provide at least 14 days’ medication
This gives us time to review the changes, obtain any necessary prescriptions and prepare your next PillRoll safely.
