Written by Rebecca Gayle, PharmD, RPh
You just landed in Aruba for a relaxing beach vacation. Your sense of relaxation evaporates when you find out the airline has lost your bag, which contains all your medicines! Since you are in a different country, you cannot access your usual pharmacy. And, since you are so used to taking your medicines without reading the bottles, you cannot remember any of their long, confusing names. “Ugh,” you think, “Now a good chunk of my time in paradise will be spent figuring out how to get the medicines I need.”
The best way to handle this common scenario – in addition to worst-case scenarios like fainting or having a medical emergency – is to keep a list of all the medicines you take, which is also known as a personal medication record (PMR).
A personal medication record (PMR) is a list of all the medicines you take. It should include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal products, and other medications you receive, such as injections, infusions, patches, creams, and ointments. It should also include important information about you, like your name and date of birth, as well as any allergies or reactions you may have to food or medicines.
Making and regularly updating a PMR is the easiest and best way for you to be involved in your health and to protect yourself against medical errors. Having an updated list of your medicines on hand can make a huge positive difference, especially in key moments like emergencies, getting admitted to the hospital, and going home from the hospital.1,2 At all times, having an updated medicine list and sharing it with your healthcare team lowers the chance that a medical error will occur. It also helps doctors provide better and more timely care.
Ideally, everyone should have a list of medicines they take, even if they only take one or two pills. The risk of medication errors increases as the number and complexity of medications, health conditions, and doctors involved in your care also increase.3 Because of this, having an updated medicine list is most important for people who:
Your PMR should include your name, date of birth, and any allergies or bad reactions you have had to medicines in the past. For each medicine you take, include the following details: 2
There are many ways to get your PMR started, whether it is manually, on your mobile device, or using resources available online. Choose whatever option makes it easy for you to make a list of your medicines and to update it regularly.
The following people should have a copy of your medicine list:
When and where to bring and share your medicine list: 2
Having an updated PMR or personal medicine list and sharing it with your healthcare providers is a simple and important way to take charge of your health and to protect yourself from medical errors. Don’t delay and start making your medicine list today!
Why make my own personal medicine list when my doctor and pharmacy already know what I am taking?
Even though your doctors and pharmacies have a list of what you take, their lists often have gaps,3 especially if you have been in the hospital recently or were prescribed a new medicine by a different doctor. Unfortunately, even in the age of electronic health records, there is no central system where doctors and hospitals can easily see and share your medicine list. Having your own updated list and sharing it with your healthcare team really is the best way to make sure everyone knows exactly what you are taking.
When should I make this list?
The sooner you can make a list of the medicines you are taking, the better! You do not need to wait for an appointment with your doctor. However, you can always ask your doctor, pharmacy, or any caregivers to help you put together your list. The sooner you have this list, the sooner you can help protect yourself from medical errors.
What are the most important things to keep in mind while making a PMR?
The most important requirement for your medicine list is that you can understand and update it easily. It should also contain key information about you, including your name, date of birth, and any allergies to food or medicines. For each medicine you take, list the drug name, dose, strength, directions, and the doctor who prescribed it. Finally, your medicine list should be easy for you to share with members of your healthcare team.
When should I update my list of medicines?
Update your list any time that you:
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