Introduction: Patients on dialysis take multiple medications. Shared care among healthcare providers and frequent medication changes increase the risk of drug-related problems (DRPs).

Aims: To implement the Medication Review Clinic and establish a sustainable service.

Methods: Prospective medication reviews were conducted by trained clinical pharmacists using standardised tools. Pharmacists’ intervention included medication recommendation and patient education.

Results: From December 2007 to July 2008, medication reviews were conducted with 64 haemodialysis patients prior to their nephrologists’ appointment. Patients were taking on average 13 medications. Drug-related problems were identified in 92% of medication reviews (a total of 278 DRPs). The major DRPs were medication non-adherence (33%), excessive dose (9.3%) and untreated indication (8.6%). Patients of NZ Maori and Pacific Peoples descent were more likely to have more than three DRPs compared to patients of European descent. (NZ Maori OR 7.49 95% CI 1.15-48.9 p=0.035, Pacific Peoples OR 5.4 95%CI 0.96-30.34 p=0.055). Patients who spent from 3.5 to 6.3 years on dialysis (middle tertile) were more likely to have more than three DRPs compared to patients who had been less than 3.3 years on dialysis (OR 7.48 95% CI 1.45-38.76 p=0.016). Patients older than 55 were less likely to have more than three DRPs compared to younger patients (middle tertile age category ie 55 to 68 years OR 0.14 95% CI 0.03-0.69 p=0.016).

Conclusions: Structured pharmacists’ medication reviews can be readily integrated into the model of care for haemodialysis patients.