Medications

Medication information may help a case manager build up a picture of an individual’s condition and probability of symptoms.

It may or may not be a guide as to the severity of symptoms. This is because every individual’s experience of their condition and symptoms may be different.

Medication information on its own should not be used to make a determination, as an individual’s care needs cannot be assumed based on the medication that they use.

For guidance on when more information on an individual’s needs is required, or there are apparent inconsistencies, case managers should refer to the understanding and interpreting information chapter.

An individual will be asked in the application form to set out the name of their medication, the dosage and how often they take it.

When considering medical information, it is useful to understand:

• The name of the drug
  This could be the brand name (a name given by the company that produces it) or the generic name (the name of the medication as it was originally produced). This may be used to support confirmation of any condition described by an individual. It can also help case managers to explore any condition an individual may not have described in their application.
• The dose that an individual takes
  Dose describes the strength of the medication being taken by an individual. This may or may not support confirmation of the severity of any symptoms described by the individual in their application. Any apparent inconsistencies should usually be explored with an individual. A case discussion with a practitioner can support case managers before exploring any apparent inconsistencies.
• The frequency that medication is taken
• The method that an individual uses to take medication
  This describes how an individual takes their medication. For example, orally or via an injection. This information can be useful when considering whether an individual requires assistance to manage their medication and health condition.
• If the medication is prescribed by a health professional.

Information about the selection, prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicines is available online to assist case managers:

• BNF website: British National Formulary (BNF) - NICE (nice.org.uk)

If a case manager is in any doubt about interpreting medication information, a case discussion should be requested with a practitioner.

A practitioner will be able to advise on:

• whether the medication is consistent with the care needs set out by the individual in their application form
• the likely side effects that medications may have
• how combinations of different medications interact with one another and the effect this may have.