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What Happens During a Medication Review at a Pharmacy?

Updated June 1, 2026 · 5 min read · Medication

If you take three or more medications, there's a free service in Ontario you may not be using: a MedsCheck medication review. It's a sit-down conversation with your pharmacist to make sure everything you take still works together safely — and it's covered by OHIP. Here's exactly what happens, who qualifies, and why it's worth 20 minutes of your time.

What is a MedsCheck?

A MedsCheck is a one-on-one review of all your medications — prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and natural health products like vitamins, probiotics, and herbal remedies — with a pharmacist. The goal is simple: confirm each one is still right for you, catch anything that shouldn't be mixed, and make your routine easier to follow. At St. Clair Drug Mart Pharmacy in St. Clair West, we set aside dedicated time so it's never rushed.

This is also the easiest way to catch a supplement interaction you didn't know about — see our guide to vitamins, probiotics & herbal supplements for common examples.

Who qualifies?

• You take three or more prescription medications for an ongoing condition, or
• You have diabetes (a special MedsCheck is available), or
• You've recently been discharged from hospital, or
• You live in a long-term care home.

Not sure if you qualify? Just ask us — we'll check in a moment.

What to bring

• Every medication you take — ideally the actual bottles and packages, including OTC products, vitamins, probiotics, and herbal remedies.
• Your health card.
• Any questions or concerns — side effects, costs, timing, or anything confusing.

What happens during the review

1. We go through each medication — what it's for, how and when you take it, and whether it's still doing its job.
2. We check for interactions and duplicates — two drugs that clash, or two that do the same thing.
3. We look for ways to simplify — fewer doses per day, combining timing, or setting up blister packs so everything is pre-sorted.
4. You get a written summary — a clear, personal medication record you can keep and share with your doctor.

Why it's worth doing

Medications get added over years by different prescribers, and no one always has the full picture. A review regularly turns up a duplicate, an out-of-date prescription, a side effect that's been mistaken for "just getting older," or a simpler schedule that's far easier to stick to. For caregivers, it's also a chance to get organized and ask questions on a loved one's behalf.

How much does it cost?

For eligible patients, a MedsCheck is covered by OHIP — there's no charge to you. It's one of the most useful free services Ontario offers, and it's underused simply because people don't know it exists.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Eligibility is set by the Government of Ontario. Speak with our pharmacist or your doctor about your specific medications.