Annual Medication Review with a Pharmacist: How It Reduces Side Effects

Every year, millions of Americans take medications that don’t belong to them-or take too many, too often, or at the wrong time. Some don’t even know they’re taking two pills that do the same thing. These mistakes aren’t always due to carelessness. Often, they’re the result of fragmented care, rushed doctor visits, or simply forgetting what’s in the medicine cabinet. The good news? There’s a simple, proven way to fix this: an annual medication review with a pharmacist.

What an Annual Medication Review Really Is

An annual medication review isn’t just a quick chat about your prescriptions. It’s a full clinical evaluation where a pharmacist sits down with you-usually for about 30 minutes-and goes through every single thing you take. That includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter pain relievers, vitamins, herbal supplements, and even eye drops or patches. The goal? To find hidden risks before they become emergencies.

Pharmacists are trained to spot problems doctors might miss. While your doctor focuses on treating your condition, your pharmacist focuses on how the drugs interact, whether they’re still needed, and if they’re causing side effects you’ve just accepted as "normal aging." According to the National MTM Advisory Board, this process is called a Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR), and it’s required for Medicare Part D beneficiaries who qualify.

Why Side Effects Get Missed (and How a Pharmacist Finds Them)

You’ve probably heard of common side effects like dizziness, nausea, or fatigue. But what if your memory lapses aren’t from getting older? What if your constant tiredness isn’t just stress? What if your stomach pain is from that daily aspirin you’ve been taking for years?

Doctors have 15-minute appointments. Pharmacists have 30 minutes-and they’re specialists in how drugs behave in the body. During a review, they ask questions like:

• Why are you taking this? Is it still helping?
• Are you taking it at the right time of day?
• Could this be causing your muscle aches or confusion?
• Do you have two drugs that do the same thing?

One patient, a 72-year-old woman, kept feeling dizzy and thought it was her blood pressure. Her pharmacist discovered she was taking two different blood pressure pills-one prescribed by her cardiologist, another by her primary care doctor. Both were the same class of drug. Stopping one eliminated her dizziness completely.

The NIH reports that about 50% of people don’t take their meds as prescribed. And up to 1.5 million adverse drug events happen every year in the U.S.-many preventable. A pharmacist-led review cuts that risk by finding duplicates, dangerous interactions, and unnecessary drugs before they hurt you.

Who Needs This Review the Most

You don’t have to be elderly to benefit. But if you fall into any of these groups, you’re at higher risk:

• You take four or more medications regularly (that’s called polypharmacy)
• You see more than one doctor
• You’ve been hospitalized recently for a drug-related issue
• You’ve noticed new symptoms like confusion, falls, or stomach upset
• You take supplements or over-the-counter drugs daily

CDC data shows that 40% of older adults in the U.S. are on four or more long-term medications. That’s a recipe for trouble if no one’s checking for overlaps or side effects. Seniors are especially vulnerable because their bodies process drugs differently. But younger people with chronic conditions-like diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders-are just as likely to be overmedicated.

What Happens During the Review

It’s not complicated. Here’s what to expect:

1. Bring everything. Put all your pills, bottles, patches, and supplements in a bag. Don’t rely on memory. If you’re unsure what something is, bring the box.
2. They’ll ask questions. Why are you taking this? When? Have you noticed any changes? Are you skipping doses because of cost or side effects?
3. They’ll check for problems. Duplicates? Interactions? Outdated prescriptions? Drugs that no longer match your health goals?
4. They’ll make a plan. This might mean stopping one drug, switching to a safer alternative, changing the time you take it, or adding a tool like a pill organizer.
5. They’ll write it down. You’ll get a clear, updated list of what to take-and what to stop. They’ll also send a summary to your doctor if you give permission.

Many pharmacies now use tools like blister packs or digital reminders to help you stay on track. Some even sync all your refills to one day each month so you don’t have to make five trips to the pharmacy.

What You Might Discover

People are often shocked by what they learn:

• They were taking two different drugs for acid reflux-one prescribed, one bought over the counter-both with the same active ingredient.
• Their sleepiness wasn’t from insomnia; it was from an antihistamine in their cold medicine they’d been taking daily for years.
• A joint pain medication they’d been using for 10 years was no longer needed because their arthritis had improved.
• They were paying $120 a month for a brand-name drug when a generic version worked just as well for $10.

These aren’t rare stories. They happen every day. And they’re all fixable-without surgery, without new tests, without more pills.

Why Pharmacists Are Better at This Than Doctors

Doctors are amazing at diagnosing illness. But they’re not trained to be drug experts. Pharmacists are. They spend years learning how drugs interact, how they’re metabolized, how side effects build up over time.

Also, pharmacists have more time. You might spend five minutes with your doctor. With a pharmacist, you get 30. They’ll ask about your daily routine, your finances, your ability to open bottles, whether you forget doses because you’re overwhelmed.

And they’re accessible. About 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy. You don’t need an appointment. Many offer walk-in reviews. And if you’re on Medicare Part D, the review is free.

What to Do Before Your Appointment

Don’t wing it. Preparation makes the difference between a good review and a great one.

• Write down every medication, supplement, and OTC product you take-even if you think it’s harmless.
• Include doses and how often you take them.
• Bring the actual bottles or photos of the labels.
• Write down any symptoms you’ve noticed-headaches, dizziness, nausea, mood changes, trouble sleeping.
• Ask yourself: Have I been taking this longer than I should? Did my doctor say it was temporary?

Most patients forget to mention supplements. Studies show 40-50% of people don’t tell their providers about vitamins or herbal products. But things like St. John’s Wort can interfere with antidepressants. Garlic supplements can thin your blood. These aren’t "just herbs." They’re active drugs.

What Happens After the Review

You’ll leave with a printed list of your updated meds. No more guessing. No more wondering if you’re taking something you don’t need.

The pharmacist will also send a summary to your doctor-with your permission. This ensures everyone’s on the same page. If a drug needs to be stopped or changed, your doctor will approve it. But the pharmacist is the one who spotted the problem.

Some pharmacies offer follow-ups. You might get a call a week later to see how you’re doing. Others will help you set up reminders on your phone or recommend a pill box that sorts your meds by day and time.

Cost, Insurance, and Accessibility

If you’re on Medicare Part D, you’re eligible for a free annual medication review. No copay. No extra fee. You don’t even have to be in a special plan-just enrolled in Part D.

Many commercial insurers now offer similar programs. Check your plan’s website or call customer service. Even if you’re not on Medicare, ask your pharmacy. Some offer the service for a small fee or as part of their care package.

The real cost? Not paying for this review. The NIH says medication errors cause about 20% of all adverse drug events-and those lead to hospitalizations that cost billions. A 30-minute review can save you thousands in emergency care down the road.

Who Might Not Need It

If you only take one or two medications, and they’re simple-like a daily blood pressure pill and a statin-and you feel fine-then you might not need a full review. But even then, it’s worth asking your pharmacist: "Is there anything here I shouldn’t be taking?"

It’s less helpful for people with severe dementia who can’t participate in the conversation. But for caregivers, it’s still valuable. The pharmacist can give you a clear plan to manage someone else’s meds.

What’s Next for Medication Reviews

The future is digital. Some pharmacies now offer virtual reviews via video call. Others use AI tools to flag possible interactions before you even walk in. The goal is to connect pharmacy records directly to your electronic health record-so your doctor, pharmacist, and specialist all see the same list.

National Check Your Meds Day (October 21) is a reminder to take stock of your pills. But you don’t have to wait for a holiday. Schedule your review now. It’s one of the safest, simplest, and most effective ways to protect your health.

Real Impact, Real Results

People who get annual medication reviews report feeling more in control. They sleep better. They fall less. They stop worrying about side effects. They save money. And they avoid trips to the ER.

Dr. Trever Calvert, PharmD, says these reviews lead to fewer hospital stays and lower healthcare costs. The data backs it up. And the best part? You don’t need a referral. You don’t need a special form. You just need to walk into your pharmacy and ask.

Your health isn’t just about what you take. It’s about what you don’t need to take anymore. And your pharmacist is the one who can help you find out.