Why Pharmacist-Led Risk Assessments Should Be Standard in Workers’ Comp

In Episode 2 of The Irregular Dose, we dive into a timely and practical proposal for NSW personal injury claims: mandatory medication risk assessments conducted by independent pharmacists at the 13-week mark. Backed by Independent Med Management (IMM), the proposal addresses a growing concern across insurers, treating doctors, and claims teams—high-risk medication use is too often overlooked, and it’s costing the system more than anyone realises.

Why 13 Weeks Matters

At 13 weeks, a claim that’s still open likely involves complex barriers to recovery. One of the most persistent—and least addressed—is poor medication oversight. Many claimants remain on opioids, benzodiazepines, or sedating antidepressants, without any structured medication review. Case managers, while experienced, aren’t trained to clinically assess these regimens—and that’s where pharmacists can make a critical difference.

What Risk Assessments Deliver

IMM’s pharmacist-led reviews provide:

• Identification of medication-related red flags that may delay recovery
• Evidence-based recommendations to optimise or deprescribe high-risk drugs
• Direct communication with treating GPs and specialists
• Clear reports that support case managers in coordinating safer care

These aren’t generic reviews - they’re tailored, fast, and clinically robust. And the results speak for themselves: IMM data shows reductions in high-risk medication use of over 50% and significant improvements in patient engagement and function when reviews are actioned.

The Bigger Picture: Cost, Care, and Claims Duration

Medication risk isn’t just a clinical issue—it’s a cost driver. Overuse of sedating or dependency-forming medications leads to:

• Increased GP and specialist appointments
• Delayed return-to-work outcomes
• Higher risk of hospitalisation and mental health claims
• Rising long-term claim costs for insurers

IMM’s proposal isn’t just a health initiative - it’s a scheme-saving strategy. Embedding pharmacist-led risk assessments at the 13-week mark could help NSW shift from reactive to proactive claims management.

Listen to the full episode now to hear how this model works, what it delivers, and how it can be scaled across NSW’s Workers’ Compensation system.