The Evolving Role of Pharmacists in Home Medication Review: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Irrational and inappropriate medication use remains a major global challenge. Home Medication Review (HMR) is a patient-centred service in which pharmacists conduct structured medication assessments in patients’ homes to identify drug-related problems (DRPs), improve adherence, and optimise medication use. This scoping review aimed to map the evolving role of pharmacists in HMR, examine its impact on patient outcomes and quality of life, and identify barriers to pharmacist-led HMR implementation across different healthcare systems. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O’Malley framework and reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Databases including Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed, and Embase were searched for English-language original research studies published between 2015 and 2025. Studies involving pharmacists conducting HMR in patient’s homes were included. Results: Out of 719 retrieved articles, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in Australia, followed by Malaysia and other countries. Pharmacist-led HMR was consistently associated with improved medication adherence, identification and resolution of DRPs, and improved patient outcomes and quality of life. Pharmacist’s roles evolved from medication reconciliation and adherence assessment to comprehensive medication reviews, medicines optimisation, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Key barriers included patient-related factors, limited physicians support, system-level challenges, resource constraints, and workload pressures. Conclusion: Pharmacist-led HMR improves medication use, patient outcomes, and quality of life, with an increasingly advanced clinical role over time. Further large-scale research and strengthened implementation strategies are needed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to support wider adoption of pharmacist-led HMR services.