Skip to main content
GPhC Registered | NHS Approved | 4.9⭐ Google Rating | Same Day Appointments | Distance Selling Pharmacy

Pharmacy medications review

Pharmacy & Medications

Written by the Veritas Pharmacy clinical team. Address: 113 Chester Road, Sunderland. Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, registration number 9012617.

Taking several medicines at once, or taking the same ones for years without review, can mean side effects, interactions, or out-of-date doses go unnoticed. A private Medication Review at Veritas Pharmacy is a one-to-one consultation where a pharmacist registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council goes through everything you are taking — prescribed, over-the-counter, and any supplements — to check that it is all still right for you. Most appointments last around 15 minutes, and same-day slots are usually available.

What is a Medication Review?

A Medication Review is a structured conversation about your medicines, led by a pharmacist rather than fitted into the last few minutes of picking up a prescription. It is a chance to ask questions you might not otherwise get time for: whether a medicine is still needed, whether two medicines might interact with each other, or whether a side effect you have noticed is actually linked to something you are taking.

This is different from the quick check that happens automatically every time a prescription is dispensed. That check looks for obvious safety flags. A Medication Review goes further, looking at your whole regimen together, over a dedicated appointment, with time to talk through how things are actually going day to day.

It is also different from the National Health Service funded New Medicine Service, or the annual structured medication reviews that some patients receive automatically through their general practitioner’s surgery. This is a private appointment that you can book directly, without needing a referral, whenever you feel it would help.

Why choose Veritas Pharmacy for a medication review in Sunderland?

Veritas Pharmacy and Private Clinic is a pharmacy and private clinic registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, based at 113 Chester Road, Sunderland, SR4 7HG. Medication reviews here take place in a private consultation room, with proper time set aside rather than being squeezed in between other customers at the counter.

Your medication review is carried out by our independent prescribing pharmacist. Any changes to your medicines are not made on the spot during the review. Instead, you will leave with clear, written recommendations, which are then followed up with your general practitioner or the relevant prescriber, so they can take action.

Who benefits from a Medication Review?

Signs it might be worth booking one

You are taking four or more regular medicines. You have noticed a new side effect and are not sure what is causing it. You have recently started or stopped taking a medicine. You are taking supplements alongside prescribed medicine. You find it difficult to remember your doses or timings. You have not had a review in over a year.

None of these mean that something is definitely wrong — they are simply good reasons to have a second, dedicated look, rather than waiting until a problem shows up.

Is a review suitable for everyone?

Most adults taking regular medication can benefit from a review, particularly anyone on multiple long-term medicines, anyone who has had a recent hospital stay or medicine change, or anyone who simply wants a clearer understanding of what they are taking and why. Your pharmacist will confirm what is relevant to you during the appointment itself.

What to expect at your appointment

Your pharmacist will start by going through a full list of everything you take — prescribed medicines, anything bought over the counter, and any vitamins or supplements. You will be asked how each one is working for you, whether you have noticed any side effects, and how easy or difficult they are to fit into your routine.

From there, your pharmacist checks for any interactions between medicines, confirms that your doses are still appropriate, and notes anything that might be worth raising with your general practitioner. You will leave with a clear summary of what was discussed and any recommended next steps.

How to prepare for your medication review

This is helpful, but not essential. Please bring, or list out beforehand, everything you currently take, including the exact names, doses, and how often you take them, plus any over-the-counter products or supplements. If you have repeat prescription slips, or the medicines list in the National Health Service app, that works well too.

How to book your medication review in Sunderland

Booking takes a couple of minutes online, or you can call the clinic directly to speak to someone first. We see patients from Sunderland and the surrounding area.

Pricing: £50 per appointment, with no separate consultation charge. We are open seven days a week, from 9 o’clock in the morning until 5 o’clock in the evening, for private services.

Ready to book? Same-day slots are usually available.

Book a medication review

Or call 0191 503 4053 · 113 Chester Road, Sunderland SR4 7HG

Frequently asked questions about medication reviews

What happens in a private medication review?
A pharmacist goes through everything you are currently taking — prescribed, over-the-counter, and supplements — checking for interactions, side effects, and whether doses are still right, then gives you a summary and any recommended next steps.
How long does a medication review take?
Around 15 minutes, depending on how many medicines you take and how much you would like to discuss.
Do I need a referral from my general practitioner for a medication review?
No, this is a private service that you can book directly. If anything is flagged that needs your general practitioner’s input, your pharmacist will let you know.
How much does a private medication review cost?
£50 per appointment. This covers the full consultation and a written summary.
Is this the same as the free medicine reviews that some people get through the National Health Service?
No. Some patients already receive National Health Service funded reviews, such as the New Medicine Service or a general practitioner surgery’s annual structured medication review, automatically, based on their eligibility. This is a private, pharmacist-led appointment that you can book directly at any time, without needing to qualify or wait to be invited.
Can a pharmacist change my prescription during the review?
No, your pharmacist does not change your medicines during the appointment itself. Instead, you will leave with clear, written recommendations, which are then passed on to your general practitioner or relevant prescriber to act upon.

Related reading: Book a private pharmacist consultation

Independent Prescriber, Medication Review, Medicines Optimisation, Pharmacy and Medications, Polypharmacy, Private Pharmacist Consultation, Sunderland Pharmacy