New Medicine Service

The New Medicine Service (NMS) is a confidential service available at all our pharmacies to support you in the early stages of starting a new medicine. We recognise that starting a new medicine can be a daunting prospect and you may have questions or concerns about how to use the medicine properly.

To take part in this service you must live in England and have been prescribed new prescription medicine for one of the following long-term chronic conditions:

Stroke / transient ischemic attack; and
Atrial fibrillation;
Heart failure;
Parkinson’s disease;
Glaucoma;
Osteoporosis;
Hypertension;
Asthma and COPD:
Diabetes (Type 2);
Hypercholesterolaemia;
Gout;
Epilepsy;
Urinary incontinence/retention;
Acute coronary syndromes;
Long term risks of venous thromboembolism/embolism;
Coronary heart disease

Your pharmacist will be able to discuss any queries you may have regarding your new medication at the point of dispensing. They will also give you advice on healthy lifestyles and healthy living if required. Studies have demonstrated that the first few weeks of starting a new medicine are the most critical to ensure maximum concordance with the prescribed treatment. Early intervention where concerns or issues are present has been shown to improve adherence and long-term outcome for patients.

After one to two weeks, your pharmacist will contact you, usually by phone to discuss the new medicine. During this initial consultation, our pharmacist will ask questions to check your understanding of your new medicine, why it is important to use it regularly and help answer any questions or allay any concerns you may have.

After a further two weeks, they will make contact once more to ensure check all is ok before discharging you from the service.

If you have concerns about your medicines new or old, no matter what the condition our pharmacists are happy to talk to you at any time about your medicines to offer support and advice.