Medication Review Assessment Tool
How many medications do you take?
Imagine this: you’re 72, taking eight different pills a day. Some are prescriptions. Others are vitamins your daughter swears by. There’s that painkiller you’ve been using since last winter, and the sleep aid your doctor gave you three years ago - you’re not sure if you still need it. You go to your appointment and try to explain what you take. But you forget one. You mix up the doses. You don’t know why you’re taking half of them. This is exactly why brown bag medication review events exist - and why they save lives.
What Is a Brown Bag Medication Review?
A brown bag medication review is when you bring all your medications - every single one - in a brown paper bag to your doctor or pharmacist. It’s not fancy. No apps, no online lists. Just the real bottles, boxes, and packets you keep at home. The idea started in the 1980s in the U.S., when pharmacists handed out brown grocery bags to patients so they could collect everything they were taking. The name stuck. Today, it’s one of the most reliable ways to catch dangerous mistakes in how people take their medicines.
Why does this matter? Because when patients try to remember what they take, they get it wrong about 80% of the time. A 2016 study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that out of 10 to 15 people who tried to list their meds from memory, only two got it right. That’s not a small error. That’s a risk of overdose, dangerous interactions, or hospital visits.
Why This Matters for Seniors in Australia
In Australia, nearly half of adults over 65 are taking five or more medications. That’s called polypharmacy. It’s not always bad - sometimes you need them. But the more pills you take, the higher the chance one will clash with another, or that you’re taking something you don’t need anymore. A 2022 national survey found seniors take an average of 4.7 prescriptions and almost two over-the-counter products. Many don’t even know why they’re taking half of them.
And it’s not just confusion. Some people hold onto old prescriptions “just in case.” Others refill a medicine because the bottle is still half-full, even if the doctor stopped it. One case from Melbourne involved a man who was taking two different blood pressure pills - from two different doctors - and didn’t realize he was doubling his dose. He kept feeling dizzy. The brown bag review caught it. He stopped one. His balance improved in a week.
What to Bring to Your Brown Bag Review
This isn’t optional. You need to bring everything. Not just the big bottles. Not just the prescriptions. Everything.
- All prescription medications - pills, liquids, patches, inhalers, eye drops
- All over-the-counter drugs - pain relievers, cold meds, antacids, sleep aids
- All vitamins and supplements - fish oil, magnesium, vitamin D, ginseng
- All herbal remedies - echinacea, turmeric, valerian root, traditional medicines
- All creams, ointments, and patches - even the ones you only use once a week
- The actual containers, not just the labels
Don’t worry if your pills are in a pill organizer. Bring the original bottles too. Pharmacists need to see the dosage instructions, expiration dates, and prescribing doctor’s name. If you’ve thrown out the box, bring the bottle. If you don’t have it, write down the name, dose, and how often you take it. But don’t rely on that. The real power of this review comes from seeing the physical meds.
What Happens During the Review
The review takes 30 to 45 minutes. It’s not rushed. Your pharmacist or doctor will go through each item one by one. They’ll check for:
- Duplicate medications - like taking two different brands of ibuprofen
- Drug interactions - for example, mixing blood thinners with certain herbal supplements
- Unnecessary drugs - things you were prescribed for a short-term issue but kept taking
- Incorrect doses - too high, too low, or taken at the wrong time
- Expired meds - yes, people still take pills past their expiry date
- Medications not documented in your medical record
They’ll also ask you: Why are you taking this? If you can’t answer, it’s a red flag. That’s how they find out if a medicine was stopped but never taken off your list.
One common finding? People are taking sedatives from three different doctors. Or they’re on a statin they don’t need anymore. Or they’re using a stomach acid reducer because they’ve been on painkillers for years - and now their kidneys are at risk.
Why Physical Bags Beat Digital Lists
You might think, “Why not just use my phone app or my GP’s electronic record?” The problem is, those systems are incomplete. A 2023 study showed that electronic lists only capture 45-60% of what people actually take. Many seniors don’t log supplements. Others forget about OTC meds. Some prescriptions are filled at different pharmacies and never sync up.
By contrast, brown bag reviews hit 92-95% accuracy. Why? Because you’re holding the real thing. You’re showing the bottle with the label that says “Take one at bedtime.” The pharmacist sees the date it was filled. They see if the bottle is nearly empty - or if it’s still full after six months.
One 2024 pilot in Bexley, UK, found that 64% of seniors had at least one unnecessary medication stopped after a brown bag review. That’s not just saving money. It’s reducing side effects, falls, confusion, and hospital trips.
Common Problems - and How to Fix Them
Not everyone shows up with a full bag. Here’s what gets in the way - and how to solve it.
Problem: “I forgot my meds.”
Solution: Ask your clinic to send a reminder text or call you the day before. Some clinics even give you a free brown bag with a note: “Bring everything.”
Problem: “I’m embarrassed I have so many.”
Solution: The provider should say, “This is normal. Most of my patients have 5-10 meds. We’re here to make sure they’re all helping you.” No judgment.
Problem: “I don’t know what’s a supplement and what’s a medicine.”
Solution: Bring it all. If it’s in a bottle or capsule and you take it daily, bring it. The pharmacist will sort it out.
Problem: “My daughter handles my meds.”
Solution: Bring her with you. Or at least have her call ahead to give you a list of what she thinks you’re taking. But still bring the bottles.
What You Should Expect After the Review
You won’t leave with a magic cure. But you should leave with a clearer plan. Here’s what happens next:
- You’ll get a new, updated list of everything you’re supposed to take - with doses and times
- Any unnecessary meds will be marked for discontinuation
- Any dangerous combinations will be flagged and replaced
- You’ll get a simple handout explaining why each med matters
- Your GP or pharmacist will update your electronic record
Many people report feeling less anxious after the review. “I finally understand why I take this,” one 76-year-old woman said. “I used to take six pills in the morning and didn’t know why. Now I only take three - and I feel better.”
Who Should Get a Brown Bag Review?
It’s not just for the elderly. But it’s most critical for people who:
- Take five or more medications
- See multiple doctors
- Have had a recent hospital stay
- Feel dizzy, confused, or unusually tired
- Have trouble remembering when to take pills
- Use a pill organizer
- Take supplements or herbal remedies
If you’re under 65 and take only one or two meds, you probably don’t need this. But if you’re over 65, or you’re caring for someone who is - this is non-negotiable.
How to Schedule One
Don’t wait for your doctor to suggest it. Ask. Say: “I’d like to schedule a brown bag medication review. Can we set aside 45 minutes?”
Many clinics now offer these as part of an annual wellness visit - especially if you’re on Medicare. In Australia, Medicare doesn’t yet cover this as a standalone service, but many community pharmacies and aged care providers offer it for free. Call your local pharmacy and ask: “Do you do brown bag reviews?”
If you’re in Melbourne, try contacting your local community health centre. Some run monthly brown bag clinics. Others will book you in with a pharmacist. You don’t need a referral. Just show up with your bag.
What Happens If You Don’t Do This?
Medication errors cause up to 20% of hospital admissions for seniors. Many of these are preventable. A 2023 report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices found that medication-related problems cost Australia over $1 billion a year in avoidable hospital stays.
One woman in Geelong was admitted to hospital with kidney failure. She’d been taking a common painkiller for years - but her doctor didn’t know she was also taking a herbal supplement that damaged her kidneys. The brown bag review would have caught it. She survived. But she lost months of her life in recovery.
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being safe.
Final Tip: Make It a Habit
Don’t do this once and forget it. Your meds change. New ones are added. Old ones are stopped. Do a brown bag review every year - or anytime you start or stop a medicine. Keep the updated list in your wallet. Show it to every new doctor. Teach your family what’s in your bag. Because when you’re not feeling well, the right answer might be in that brown paper bag - not in your head.
Do I need to bring my supplements and vitamins to a brown bag review?
Yes. Supplements, vitamins, herbal remedies, and natural products are just as important as prescription drugs. Many interact with medications - like St. John’s Wort affecting blood thinners, or high-dose vitamin E increasing bleeding risk. If you take it regularly, bring it. The pharmacist needs to see the label to check the dose and ingredients.
What if I don’t have the original bottle for a medication?
Bring what you have - even if it’s a pill organizer or a labeled container. Write down the name, dose, frequency, and reason you take it. But try to get the original bottle if possible. Pharmacists need the prescribing doctor’s name and pharmacy details to update your records. If you can’t find it, call your pharmacy - they can print you a copy of your prescription history.
Can I do a brown bag review at my pharmacy instead of my doctor’s office?
Yes - and often, it’s better. Pharmacists are medication experts. Many community pharmacies in Australia offer free brown bag reviews. They’ll check for interactions, suggest cheaper alternatives, and update your profile. Some even scan your pills with a phone app to verify them. Ask your local pharmacy if they offer this service.
How often should I have a brown bag review?
At least once a year. But if you’ve recently been hospitalized, started a new medication, changed doctors, or noticed side effects like dizziness, confusion, or nausea, do it right away. Medications change often - especially for seniors. A review every 12 months keeps your regimen safe and simple.
Is a brown bag review covered by Medicare in Australia?
Not yet as a standalone service. But if you’re over 75 and have a GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement, your pharmacist may be able to bill part of the review under Medicare. Many community pharmacies offer it for free as part of their aged care support. Don’t assume it’s not available - ask. The cost of skipping it could be far higher in hospital bills or health risks.
Next time you’re packing for a doctor’s visit, grab that brown bag. Fill it with everything. Don’t leave anything out. You’re not just bringing pills - you’re bringing your safety.
Ashley S
This is so ridiculous. Why do we even need a brown bag? Just use your phone. Everyone has one. This is like asking people to bring their VHS tapes to watch movies in 2024.