Managing medication can sometimes become difficult, particularly when several medicines are taken at different times or when someone is supporting a family member.

The right support depends on the individual and the particular difficulty they are experiencing. Sometimes a simple reminder, clearer label or medication record may be enough. Other people may benefit from a medication organiser, help from a family member or carer, or a more comprehensive medication management service.

What do you need help with?

I sometimes forget to take my medication

Phone reminders, alarms and other prompts can help you remember when each dose is due.

I find it difficult to read or open my medication

Large-print labels, clearer instructions and easier-to-open containers may make medication more manageable.

I get confused about what to take and when

A current medication list, Kardex or MAR chart can provide clear instructions and help keep a record of doses taken.

I need help organising my medication

Reusable pill boxes and disposable weekly medication organisers can help separate medicines by day and time.

I need help ordering my prescriptions

Learn how and when to order repeat prescriptions, and which medicines you may still need to request separately.

I am helping someone else with their medication

Guidance for family members, friends and carers who order, collect, organise or help administer someone else’s medicines.

My medication has recently changed

Find out what to do following a medication change, hospital admission or discharge.

PillRoll – our private medication management service

PillRoll is McKay Pharmacy’s private medication management service. It is designed for people who want a more comprehensive way to organise and manage their regular medication.

Depending on the subscription selected, the service can include:

• Regular repeat medications reordered on your behalf
• Suitable tablets and capsules organised into individual sealed sachets
• Each sachet clearly labelled with the patient’s name, date, time and contents
• Medication supplied in a structured 28-day cycle
• Medicines that cannot be placed into sachets supplied alongside in their original packaging
• Collection from your chosen McKay Pharmacy or home delivery
• Support when prescriptions or regular medication change
• SMS notification when medication is ready

Medicines taken only when required, along with other non-regular items, will usually still need to be requested separately from the GP surgery.

Subscription options

• Pre-paid medication delivery – £12 per patient per month
• PillRoll for collection – £15 per patient per month
• PillRoll with home delivery – £25 per patient per month

The subscription covers the additional private preparation, organisation and/or delivery service. NHS prescriptions remain free for patients who normally qualify for free prescriptions.

If you think PillRoll may be suitable for you or someone you support, our pharmacy team can discuss the service and help you get started.

Need help choosing?

Our pharmacy team can discuss the difficulties you or the person you support are experiencing and help identify appropriate options. These may include reminders, changes to packaging, medication records, support with ordering, self-fill organisers or PillRoll.

Medication support should always be suitable for the individual. If you are unsure what medication should be taken, or the instructions have recently changed, speak to your pharmacist, GP, prescriber or care team before filling an organiser or changing how the medication is managed.