NICE describes the term ‘medicines support’ as any support that enables a person to manage their medicines. What is included within an individual’s medication support plan varies depending on a person’s needs.
The assessment of a person’s medication support needs must form part of an overall assessment of needs and preferences for care and treatment.
An important point to remember is that a carer cannot take responsibility for managing a person’s medicines unless the overall assessment indicates the need to do so, and the patient agrees. The reason for this is to encourage independence, wherever possible.