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New Medicine Service

New Medicine Service (NMS) is a free service, funded by the NHS and provided by your Pharmacist to help you to get the most out of your new medicine.

The service is for people who have received their first prescription for a medicine to treat any of the following conditions, Asthma, Lung conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, Type 2 diabetes, High blood pressure, or any conditions where you take a medicine to control the way your blood clots.

Our Pharmacist will have a chat to you about everything you need to know before taking your new medication.

What is the New Medicine Service?

The New Medicine Service is a free NHS service, offered through your pharmacy (chemist), to help you understand your condition and get the most out of your new medicine.

Who is it for?

The service is for people who have received their first prescription for a medicine to treat any of the following conditions:

  • Asthma
  • Lung conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Conditions where you take a medicine to control the way your blood clots.

How will it help me?

Between 30% and 50% of prescribed medicines are not taken as recommended.
This means that a lot of medicines are wasted or are not as effective as they could be.

The service will:

  • Help you to find out more about the new medicine you are taking
  • Help to sort out any problems you are having with your new medicine
  • Give you a chance to ask questions about your medicine and discuss any concerns
  • Help to improve the effectiveness of your new medicine, for example, there may be an easier or better way to take it
  • Help you to make your own decisions about managing your condition
  • Help you to improve your health, which could lead to fewer GP and hospital visits.

The New Medicine Service will help provide better value for you and the NHS by making sure that your medicines are right for you.

How does the service work?

When you are given your new medicine you will be asked if you want to sign up to the service, which will be provided in three parts. If you agree, you will need to sign a consent form to allow your pharmacist to share your information with other parts of the NHS (see below).

1
Your pharmacist will give you information about your new medicine.
2
You will be invited to a meeting with your pharmacist between 7 and 14 days after you first receive your medicine. You will be able to choose a time that suits you.
This is a confidential conversation and will be provided in a private area within the pharmacy or if you prefer, you could choose to have the discussion over the telephone.
Your pharmacist will ask you questions about how you are getting on with your new medicine, find out if you are having any problems and give you any information and support you need. You may have concerns or questions that you want to ask. You can ask anything at all about your new medicine.
3
Your pharmacist will arrange a follow-up discussion with you 14 to 21 days after step 2. You will be able to talk about how things are going with your medicine and ask for more advice if you need it.

Why do I need to sign a consent form?

In order to receive this service, you will be asked to give your consent for your pharmacist to share information from your New Medicine Service discussions with:

  • Your GP, if necessary (for example if they need to change your medicine because you are having a problem with it) your primary care trust (PCT – the local NHS authority), to make sure that the service is being provided properly by your pharmacist
  • Your PCT, the NHS Business Services Authority and the Secretary of State for Health, to make sure your pharmacy is being paid the correct amount by the NHS for the service they have provided you.
  • If you do not give your consent you will not be able to use the service. However, when you first receive your medicines your pharmacist will still give you advice about them.

How can you prepare for your discussions with the pharmacist?

  • Read the leaflet that comes with your new medicine.
  • Make a note of questions you want to ask about your new medicine.
  • Make a note of any concerns about your new medicine that you may want to discuss with your pharmacist.
  • Bring your new medicine to the meeting with your pharmacist.

What happens after the two discussions?

  • Everything may be okay with your new medicine and nothing else will need to happen.
  • If you have had problems with the medicine, you may agree with your pharmacist to change the way you take it.
  • Your pharmacist may recommend that your doctor reviews your new medicine. If this is needed your pharmacist will send a note to your doctor explaining the issues raised. You can have a copy of this note.