Page 15 - P4304.1-V111_PS Magazine - July 25

Reviving the value of Why DRUMs matter more than ever

Let’s be honest—many DRUMs are reduced to a tick-box exercise just to meet DSQS targets.
DRUM Reviews in 2025: But they don’t have to be. With a bit of thought and training, these reviews can become
invaluable for:
• Building trust and rapport with patients
By Caroline Pond • Identifying adherence barriers (e.g. packaging issues, confusion over instructions)

• Spotting medication wastage
• Improving patient satisfaction and service retention
Within the Dispensary What is a DRUM Review? Dispensary teams often interact with patients far more frequently than GPs. That positions
Services Quality Scheme A DRUM is a face-to-face or phone-based review between them ideally to lead DRUMs, offering patients continuity, accessibility, and familiarity.
(DSQS), one of the most dispensing staff and patients (or carers, when appropriate).
powerful yet under- Its purpose is to explore how patients use their prescribed
utilised tools at our medicines—focusing on compliance (do they take it?) and Overcoming the barriers
disposal is the Dispensary concordance (do they understand and agree with it?).
Review of the Use of Importantly, a DRUM is not a clinical medication review. It
Medicines (DRUM). Often doesn’t require a pharmacist or GP to assess the clinical
dismissed as just another appropriateness of treatment. Rather, it aims to identify any
practical issues patients may be facing with their medicines
‘got-to-get-them-done’ and to offer solutions or referrals where needed. “We don’t have
exercise, DRUM reviews Yes, confidential spaces can be limited,
have the potential to The regulatory requirements the space” especially in rural practices. But don’t let
become a truly impactful According to the DSQS Guidance (GMS contract 2006/07), the perfect be the enemy of the good.
interaction between DRUM reviews must meet the following criteria: Phone reviews are entirely appropriate.
dispensary staff and • At least 10% of dispensing patients must receive a In fact, they’ve become the new face-
patients. DRUM annually. to-face post-COVID. With the right

Let’s change how we • Reviews should be face-to-face where possible. training and scripting, telephone DRUMs
view them—from tick- They must be conducted by trained dispensary staff or can be just as effective—and are often
box tasks to meaningful a registered healthcare professional with appropriate more convenient for patients.
patient interactions that competencies.
benefit both practice and Findings should be recorded in the patient’s medical record.
patient. There should be a clear referral pathway to other healthcare Let’s break that down.
professionals if needed. For 4,000 dispensing patients, 10%
Source: DSQS Supplementary Guidance equals 400 reviews per year—or 8 per “We don’t
week. have time”
That’s roughly 15–20 minutes a day.

It’s manageable, especially if multiple
staff are involved. Think of it not as a
chore, but a smart investment in your
practice’s service quality and patient
retention.