New Medicine Service

NHS New Medicine Service (NSM) | Allied Pharmacies 

The NHS New Medicine Service (NMS) is a free NHS service available at participating Allied Pharmacies. It is designed to help patients who have been prescribed a new medicine for a long-term health condition.

Starting a new medication can sometimes raise questions about how it works, when to take it, or possible side effects. The New Medicine Service provides professional pharmacist support to help you get the most benefit from your medication and manage your condition effectively.

If you have recently been prescribed a new medicine, speak to your local Allied pharmacist or use the postcode search to find a pharmacy near you offering the New Medicine Service.

What is the New Medicine Service?

The New Medicine Service is an NHS pharmacy service that provides structured support for patients starting a new medication for certain long-term conditions.

During the service, a pharmacist will talk with you about your medication, answer any questions, and provide advice on how to take your medicine safely and effectively.

The service usually involves three stages: 

1. Initial consultation when you collect your new medicine 
2. Follow-up discussion around 7–14 days late
3. Final review to check how the medicine is working and address any concerns

These consultations can take place in person in the pharmacy or over the phone.

Who Can Use the New Medicine Service?

You may be eligible for the New Medicine Service if:

• You live in England 
• You have been prescribed a new medicine for a qualifying long-term condition 
• You give consent to participate in the service

Carers or guardians may also give consent on behalf of someone who is unable to do so themselves.

Conditions Covered by the New Medicine Service

The service supports people who have been prescribed medicines for certain long-term health conditions, including:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Type 2 diabetes High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia)
• Heart disease and heart failure
• Atrial fibrillation
• Stroke or transient ischaemic attack
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Osteoporosis
• Gout
• Urinary incontinence
• Risk of blood clots (thrombosis)

The service has also been expanded in recent years to include additional conditions such as depression in eligible patients.

How the New Medicine Service Helps Patients

Starting a new medication can sometimes lead to confusion about dosage, timing or side effects. The New Medicine Service helps by:

• Providing clear guidance on how to take your medicine
• Helping you understand possible side effects
• Offering advice on lifestyle changes to support treatment
• Checking that your medication is working as expected
• Identifying and resolving any problems with taking the medicine

Research shows that pharmacist support through this service can improve medicine adherence and health outcomes.

Why Choose Allied Pharmacies?

Allied Pharmacies are committed to providing accessible healthcare services in communities across the UK.

Our pharmacies offer:

• Qualified and experienced pharmacists
• Private consultation areas for confidential discussions
• Convenient local pharmacy locations
• Trusted NHS services and professional advice

Our team will work with you to ensure you feel confident managing your medication.

Find the New Medicine Service Near You

The NHS New Medicine Service is available at participating Allied Pharmacies.

Use the postcode search above to find your nearest pharmacy offering this service and speak with a pharmacist about your newly prescribed medication.

Our pharmacists are here to help you use your medicines safely and get the best possible results from your treatment.