Expert Witness Medico-Legal Pharmacy Report
Independent, court-ready pharmacy opinions for litigation and personal injury matters, prepared by AHPRA-registered pharmacists acting as expert witnesses.
What is an Expert Witness Medico-Legal Pharmacy Report?
An Expert Witness Medico-Legal Pharmacy Report is a formal expert opinion prepared for legal purposes.
It is not treatment advice and not a claims management tool.
The report is designed to withstand legal scrutiny and may be relied upon for:
- Pre-litigation advice
- Statements of evidence
- Settlement negotiations and mediations
- Court or tribunal proceedings
Each report responds directly to solicitor-defined questions and is structured in line with expert witness obligations.
How this differs from a Pharmacy Review
A Pharmacy Review is used earlier in a claim to assist insurers with funding and risk decisions.
An Expert Witness Report is used when matters are disputed, escalated, or legally contested.
Key differences:
- Prepared specifically for legal use
- Written in formal expert witness format
- Addresses causation, reasonableness, and necessity
- Suitable for reliance by courts and tribunals
- Independent of claims management processes
When to Refer
An Expert Witness Medico-Legal Pharmacy Report is appropriate when:
- Medication reasonableness or necessity is disputed
- Causation between medication use and the accepted injury is contested
- There are concerns about excessive, inappropriate, or unsafe prescribing
- Polypharmacy may be contributing to incapacity or delayed recovery
- Medicinal cannabis use is disputed, particularly involving THC products
- Treating provider opinions conflict with IME or insurer positions
- Medication use is alleged to be prolonging disability or secondary harm
- A medication-specific opinion is required beyond a standard IME
Key Questions Addressed
Each report answers the specific questions posed by instructing solicitors, commonly including:
Are the prescribed medications reasonable and necessary?
Are the medications causally related to the accepted injury or condition?
Are doses, combinations, and duration consistent with clinical guidelines?
Do the medications introduce avoidable risks or dependency?
Has prescribing escalated beyond evidence-based practice?
Are safer or more appropriate alternatives available?
Is medication use contributing to functional impairment or delayed recovery?
Scope of Review
Our expert pharmacists undertake a comprehensive review of:
Report Structure
Each Expert Witness Medico-Legal Pharmacy Report includes:
Expert credentials and independence declaration
Instructions received and questions addressed
Material reviewed
Objective medication and clinical background
Expert analysis and opinion
Direct responses to each legal question
Assumptions, limitations, and declarations
Reports are clear, structured, and suitable for legal reliance.
Why Engage IMM
- Pharmacist-led expert opinions on medication use
- Genuine independence from treating providers and insurers
- Deep experience in personal injury and insurance-based claims
- Clear, defensible opinions grounded in clinical evidence
- Reports designed to withstand opposing expert scrutiny
Ask a Pharmacist!
Need expert advice? Contact us using the information above for an obligation-free discussion with one of our pharmacists. We’re here to provide the insights you need. If you prefer face-to-face, book a call!