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Medication Review Service Finder

Looking for a medication review?

Reviewing your medications regularly with a healthcare professional helps make sure they still work well and are the safest choices for your health. This tool shows you which medication review services are available in your province or territory, who is eligible, and how to access them. To learn more about what a medication review is, how to get ready for your appointment, and questions you can ask your healthcare professional, see the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.

Please note that this tool does not provide information on medication review services offered in acute or long-term care settings.

Select your province or territory to view services in your region

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding medication reviews

  • Medication reviews may look a little different depending on the professional, setting, or province. However, all medication reviews should involve a healthcare professional sitting down with you to go over all your medicines, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, traditional medicines, and natural health products. You will discuss your experience with each medication, including how and when you take it and any effects you notice.

    During the medication review, the healthcare professional will:

    • Answer any questions you have about your medications.

    • Check to make sure each of your medications is still needed, working well, at the right dose (not too high or too low), and safe for you based on your age, health conditions, and other medications.

    • Look for any possible side effects or interactions between your medicines or health conditions.

    • Identify medications that may no longer be helpful or could cause harm, and, when appropriate, make a plan with you to stop or reduce the dose of these medications (also known as deprescribing).

    At the end of the medication review, you may receive a written summary which will include your updated list of medications, along with items discussed during the review.

  • A prescription check-up is very similar to a medication review, and often means the same thing.  In both cases, the goal is to:

    • Review all of your medications

    • Check for side effects or interactions

    • Make sure your medications are still needed

    • Answer your questions and help you use your medicines safely

  • Yes. Over time some medications you’ve been taking may no longer be the best choice. Some medications are considered to be risky, especially for older adults. View a list of medications that may especially need a review.

Deciding if you need a medication review

  • Most people should have a medication review at least once a year. You may need one sooner if:

    • your health changes, 

    • your medication list changes,

    • you notice side effects, or

    • you’ve had a recent hospital admission. 

    Ask your healthcare professional when they recommend your next med review—it may depend on your specific needs.

  • Yes, it’s still a good idea. Even if you only take one medication, it’s important to check in regularly with your healthcare provider. This helps make sure the medication is still the best choice for you, the dose is right, and it’s not causing side effects or interacting with anything new in your health or lifestyle.

Booking your medication review

  • These answers depend on where you live. Use the Medication Review Service Finder and select your province or territory to learn about the services available and whether you may be eligible.

  • These answers depend on where you live. Use the Medication Review Service Finder and select your province or territory to learn about the different types of services available and whether you may be eligible. 

  • The Medication Review Service Finder lists services covered by public health plans under certain eligibility criteria. If you meet these criteria, this means the service will be covered (free of charge) for you. If you do not meet the criteria, it may still be possible for you to access the medication review service by paying a fee.

Preparing for your medication review

  • Preparing for your medication review is a great way to make sure what matters most to you is front and centre—and to help your healthcare provider give you the best care. Here are some tips:

    • Think about how your medications make you feel. Write down any changes or side effects you’ve noticed in the past weeks or months.

    • Make a list of questions.

    • Bring an up-to-date list of all your medications,including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, traditional medicines, and herbal products. 

    View page 2 of our resource, Is it time to review your medications? for more tips on how to effectively prepare for your medication review. 

    If you are 60 and over, you can also use Medsafer, a computer application that helps guide patients, caregivers and healthcare providers through a medication review. MedSafer allows you to generate a personalized deprescribing report, based on your current health priorities. With MedSafer, you and your healthcare provider can work together to ensure that your medications are safe and effective.

  • Writing down your questions ahead of time helps you get the answers you need and makes the most of your appointment. The questions you ask will depend on your health concerns and goals, but here are 5 important ones to consider for each of the medications you take:

    1. Why am I taking this medication?

    2. What are the potential benefits and harms of this medication?

    3. Can it affect my memory or cause me to fall?

    4. Can I stop or reduce the dose of this medication (i.e. deprescribing)?

    5. Who do I follow up with and when? 

    Remember to write down any other questions you would like to ask about your medications, too.

    This handout presents 5 key questions you can reflect on and ask your healthcare professional during your medication review.

  • Yes. A family member or caregiver can join your medication review to help share information, take notes, or ask questions. In fact, having someone you trust at the appointment can provide extra support and make sure you get the most out of the process.

  • Yes—absolutely. Many patients have shared real stories of stopping or reducing medications after a med review.

Addressing concerns

  • No. Asking for a medication review does not mean you don’t trust your healthcare provider. In fact, it shows that you care about your health and want to make sure your medicines are right for you. Additionally, it can help you and your provider talk more openly, stay engaged in your care, and make decisions together. These conversations often build trust and strengthen your relationship, and healthcare professionals welcome them.

  • That’s okay. A medication review doesn’t always mean stopping or changing your medicines. Sometimes the safest option is to keep things as they are. Your healthcare professional will explain why and answer your questions. Planning your next medication review will also be important, so that the conversation can be continued when needed.

Information on the Medication Review Service Finder Tool

  • This tool was developed by the Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network team through a review of official documentation on community medication review services available in each province and territory. This tool does not provide information on medication review services offered for patients living in acute or long-term care.

  • We would like to extend our special thanks to Nadine Salhi (4th-year pharmacy student, Université de Montréal), and to the pharmacists, listed below for reviewing the information on medication review services for the specified province or territory: Alberta - Safia Khalfan; British Columbia - Charles Au; Manitoba - Jamie Falk (University of Manitoba); New Brunswick - Christine Boudreau; Newfoundland and Labrador - Saniya Shiraz Alwani (Memorial University); Nova Scotia - Lisa Woodill (The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia); Ontario - Jennifer Tung (GeriMedRisk) and Gloria Georget; Saskatchewan - Beth Scott (Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch, Ministry of Health) and Julia Bareham (RxFiles).