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Who needs a medication list?
If you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions, you may need to draw up a medication list.
- Do you see more than one doctor?
- Are you confused about when to take what medicine?
- Do you take more than five types of long-term medication?
- Do you take supplements or herbs as well?
- Are you experiencing unwanted side effects from the medication?
A sample of the medication list is available at the website of the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore at Pss.org.sg.
Popping pills is not as simple as it sounds, especially if someone happens to be on several of them at the same time.
Indeed, as many as eight in 10 people who are on medication have problems with taking it, said the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS).
A survey it conducted from two medication reviews, held in pharmacies in 2009 and last year, found the top three problems to be: not taking the drug as prescribed, not knowing what it was for, and experiencing its side effects.
These problems could result from patients, especially those who are on several types of medication for multiple health conditions, finding it difficult to remember medication names and special instructions, said Assistant Professor Christine Teng from the faculty of pharmacy at the National University of Singapore.
These problems can be kept at bay by keeping an updated list of all the types of medicine someone is taking, she said. She is also the president of the PSS and a principal clinical pharmacist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
The medication list should carry information such as the dosage of a drug, what it is for and any medicine the person is allergic to.
It is a tool to help patients know and understand their medication better so as to reap the most benefit from the drugs, said Prof Teng.
She said: “Managing medication can be challenging, especially if a person is on more than five types of medication at the same time.”
Hence, the main thrust of this year’s Pharmacy Week, from Sept 27 to Sunday, is to get patients to know their medication well, with the help of a medication list.
The theme of the week is Just Ask! Know Your Medicines, Get It Right!
Need help?
If you need help drawing up a medication list, you may go for a medication review.
During Pharmacy Week, which ends on Sunday, medication reviews will be provided free at some pharmacies in hospitals and polyclinics (see below). Call to make an appointment.
You can also walk in to make an appointment at community pharmacies at Guardian, Watsons and Unity outlets. After Pharmacy Week, medication reviews will still be available for a fee of between $5 and $25 at these pharmacies.
HOSPITAL PHARMACIES
Changi General Hospital: 6850-1887
Institute of Mental Health: 6389-3665
Jurong General Hospital (located at Alexandra Hospital): 6379-3330
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital: 6394-2463
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital: 6602-2220
National Cancer Centre: 6436-8137
National Heart Centre: 6436-7857
National University Hospital: 6772-2367
Singapore General Hospital: 6321-4366
Tan Tock Seng Hospital: 6357-2040 Mount
Elizabeth Novena Hospital: 6933-0435
POLYCLINICS
National Healthcare Group Polyclinics: 6355-3000
SingHealth Polyclinics: 6377-7055
leawee@sph.com.sg
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