MedsCheck: Free Medication Review Most Australians Don't Know About

Updated 2026 · Government-funded, no referral required

If you take multiple prescription medicines, there is a free government-funded service that could help you manage them better, avoid unnecessary costs, and catch potential problems. It is called MedsCheck, and it is available at most community pharmacies across Australia. Despite being completely free and requiring no doctor's referral, many Australians have never heard of it.

What Happens During a MedsCheck?

During a MedsCheck, your pharmacist will sit down with you for a one-on-one consultation to review all the medicines you are currently taking, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, and supplements. They will explain what each medicine does, how and when to take it, and check for potential interactions between your medications. They will also look for duplications (taking two medicines that do the same thing) and identify any medicines you may no longer need. After the review, your pharmacist will prepare a report that they can share with your doctor.

Who Should Get a MedsCheck?

MedsCheck is especially valuable if you take multiple prescription medicines regularly, have recently had changes to your medications, use medicines from more than one prescriber, take over-the-counter medicines or supplements alongside prescriptions, or feel confused about how or when to take your medicines. You need a Medicare card or DVA card, and you must not have had a MedsCheck, Diabetes MedsCheck, HMR, or RMMR in the past 12 months.

MedsCheck vs Home Medicines Review (HMR)

Both services are free, but they differ in scope and process. A MedsCheck is conducted at the pharmacy, takes about 20 minutes, and does not require a doctor's referral. A Home Medicines Review (HMR) is a more comprehensive service conducted in your home by an accredited pharmacist and does require a GP referral. HMRs are typically for patients with more complex medication needs or those who have difficulty getting to a pharmacy. There is also a Diabetes MedsCheck, which focuses specifically on type 2 diabetes medicines and blood glucose monitoring.

How to Book

Simply walk into your local community pharmacy and ask if they offer MedsCheck services. Most pharmacies participate in the program. You do not need to make an appointment in advance, though calling ahead is helpful so the pharmacist can set aside time for you. Bring all your current medicines (including non-prescription ones) to the consultation. There is no paperwork you need to prepare beforehand, and the pharmacist will handle the consent and documentation.

Combine with Other PBS Savings

A MedsCheck is a great opportunity to ask your pharmacist about other ways to save on your medicines. During the consultation, you can discuss whether any of your medications qualify for 60-day dispensing, whether generic alternatives are available, and whether you are tracking toward the PBS Safety Net threshold. You can also use the co-payment calculator to estimate your annual costs.

What Is MedsCheck?

MedsCheck is a Community Pharmacy Agreement programme funded by the Australian Government under the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA). It provides a structured, face-to-face medication review conducted by your pharmacist in a private consultation area. There are two types:

Both services are completely free — the pharmacist claims the consultation fee directly from the government. You can receive both a standard MedsCheck and a Diabetes MedsCheck in the same year if you meet the eligibility criteria for each.

Who Is Eligible?

Standard MedsCheck

• An Australian resident with a Medicare card
• Taking 5 or more regular prescription medicines (PBS or private prescriptions)
• Have not had a MedsCheck in the past 12 months
• Living in the community (not in a residential aged care facility)

Diabetes MedsCheck

• Have type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Take at least one diabetes-related medicine (e.g., metformin, insulin, gliclazide, empagliflozin, semaglutide)
• Have not had a Diabetes MedsCheck in the past 12 months

You do not need to take 5+ medicines for the Diabetes MedsCheck — the diabetes diagnosis and at least one related medicine is sufficient.

What Happens During a MedsCheck: Step by Step

Before the Appointment

• Gather all your medicines — prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies, eye drops, inhalers, patches, and creams. Bring everything, even if you are not sure whether it counts.
• Write down any questions — concerns about side effects, confusion about when to take what, medicines you have stopped taking, or anything else on your mind.

During the Review (~30 minutes)

Your pharmacist will:

1. Create a complete medication list — every medicine you take, the dose, how often, and why
2. Check for interactions — some medicines can interact with each other, reducing effectiveness or causing side effects
3. Identify duplications — you may be taking two medicines that do the same thing, prescribed by different doctors
4. Review timing and technique — are you taking each medicine at the right time? Using your inhaler correctly? Storing insulin properly?
5. Discuss side effects — if you are experiencing side effects, your pharmacist may suggest discussing alternatives with your GP
6. Check for cost-saving opportunities — switching to generic medicines, eligibility for 60-day dispensing, progress towards the PBS Safety Net, and whether any medicines could be ceased

After the Review

You receive a written medication list — a clear, up-to-date record of everything you take. This is valuable for showing to your GP at your next appointment, presenting at hospital admissions or emergency visits, keeping in your wallet or phone for reference, and sharing with family members or carers. If the pharmacist identifies any concerns, they will write to your GP with their findings and suggestions. The pharmacist does not change your medicines — any changes require your doctor's approval.

Why You Should Get a MedsCheck

1. Catch Medication Problems Early

Medicine-related problems are a significant health issue in Australia. According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, medication-related hospital admissions account for an estimated 250,000 admissions per year, with many being preventable. Common problems include drug interactions, duplicate therapy from different doctors, incorrect dosing or timing, and medicines no longer needed.

2. Save Money on Your Prescriptions

A MedsCheck is one of the easiest ways to uncover cost-saving opportunities. Your pharmacist can identify where you are paying brand premiums and suggest generic alternatives, check whether your medicines are eligible for 60-day dispensing, track your PBS Safety Net progress, and identify medicines that are no longer needed. For patients on 5+ medicines, the potential savings from a single MedsCheck can easily exceed $200–$500 per year.

3. Simplify Your Routine

Taking multiple medicines at different times of day is confusing. Your pharmacist can help consolidate dosing times where clinically appropriate, recommend a dose administration aid (Webster pack) that organises medicines by day and time, and clarify which medicines to take with food, on an empty stomach, or spaced apart.

4. Get a Complete Medication Record

If you see multiple doctors, attend different pharmacies, or take a mix of prescription and over-the-counter products, it is likely that no single health professional has a complete picture of everything you take. A MedsCheck creates that complete picture.

How to Book a MedsCheck: 5 Steps

1. Find a participating pharmacy — most community pharmacies offer MedsCheck. Call your regular pharmacy or walk in and ask.
2. Make an appointment — consultations are usually by appointment so the pharmacist can set aside dedicated time. Some pharmacies accommodate walk-ins during quieter periods.
3. Bring everything — all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies, your Medicare card, and a list of your doctors.
4. Have the consultation — the review happens in a private consultation area, not at the counter. It is a confidential, one-on-one session.
5. Share the results — take your written medication list to your next GP appointment. If the pharmacist has flagged concerns, your GP can review their recommendations.

MedsCheck vs Home Medicines Review (HMR): Detailed Comparison

If you are mobile and managing well, a MedsCheck is the simplest starting point. If you are housebound, have complex needs, or your GP is concerned about your medicines, they may refer you for an HMR instead or in addition.

Take the First Step

If you take 5 or more medicines, a MedsCheck is one of the most valuable 30 minutes you can spend on your health — and it is free. It can catch problems, save you money, and simplify your daily routine. Call your pharmacy and ask about MedsCheck, gather all your medicines before the appointment, and take the medication list to your next GP visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

General information only, not medical or financial advice. Prices shown are standard PBS co-payments as published by the Australian Government Department of Health. Actual costs may vary. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice specific to your situation. Data sourced from PBS.gov.au.