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Objective: To determine whether a pharmacist can effectively review repeat prescriptions through consultations with elderly patients in general practice.

Design: Randomised controlled trial of clinical medication review by a pharmacist against normal general practice review.

Setting: Four general practices.

Participants: 1188 patients aged 65 or over who were receiving at least one repeat prescription and living in the community.

Intervention: Patients were invited to a consultation at which the pharmacist reviewed their medical conditions and current treatment.

Main outcome measures: Number of changes to repeat prescriptions over one year, drug costs, and use of healthcare services.

Results: 590 (97%) patients in the intervention group were reviewed compared with 233 (44%) in the control group. Patients seen by the pharmacist were more likely to have changes made to their repeat prescriptions (mean number …