Medicine Care and Review

Service specification (what it is, how it works)

The Medicines: Care and Review (MCR) service is an NHS Scotland initiative designed to help people with long-term conditions manage their medicines more effectively. It replaced the previous Chronic Medication Service (CMS) and is available through community pharmacies across Scotland.

What is it?

MCR is a voluntary service for patients who:

• Are registered with a GP in Scotland.
• Receive regular prescriptions for a long-term condition.
• Register with a single community pharmacy of their choice. [nhsinform.scot]

How does it work?

The service has three main components:

1. Medication Review
   • Your pharmacist reviews how you use your medicines.
   • They discuss any problems, side effects, or concerns you have.
   • This helps identify what your carte plan looks like. [nhsinform.scot]
2. Care Plan
   • A personalised plan to support you in managing your medicines.
   • Includes actions for you and your pharmacist, and records progress.
   • Your pharmacist may share relevant information with your GP.
   • Regular reviews ensure the plan stays up to date. [nhsinform.scot]
3. Serial Prescriptions
   • Long-term prescriptions issued by your GP for 24, 48, or 56 weeks.
   • Allows you to collect medicines directly from your pharmacy without contacting your GP each time.
   • Collection intervals (e.g., every 4 or 8 weeks) are agreed with your GP.
   • Your pharmacist monitors supply and informs your GP of any issues. [rinnesmedi…roup.co.uk]

Benefits

• Improved understanding of your medicines.
• Better adherence and fewer problems with side effects.
• Convenience: fewer GP visits for repeat prescriptions.
• Enhanced safety: pharmacists can identify risks and intervene early. [communityp…cot.nhs.uk]

 Resources

The resources for the Medicines: Care and Review (MCR) service are primarily available through official NHS Scotland and community pharmacy websites. Here are the key sources you can use:

Official NHS Scotland Resources

• NHS Inform:
  Medicines: Care and Review Service
  This page explains what MCR is, who can access it, and how it works.

Community Pharmacy Scotland

• Community Pharmacy Scotland – MCR Overview
  Provides details on the service, benefits, and pharmacy involvement.

Local GP/Pharmacy Sites

• Example: Rinnes Medical Group – MCR
  Offers practical guidance for patients on serial prescriptions and care plans.

Professional Guidance

• NHS Scotland Pharmacy Services pages often include downloadable patient leaflets, FAQs, and training resources for staff.