Starting a new medication is rarely straightforward. You leave the GP with a prescription, pick it up from the pharmacy, and then go home with a box of tablets and a leaflet you may or may not read. A few days in, you’ve got questions — side effects you weren’t warned about, timing issues, or just a nagging doubt about whether you’re taking it correctly.
That’s exactly the gap the New Medicines Service fills.
What Is the New Medicines Service?
The New Medicines Service — NMS for short — is a free NHS service available at community pharmacies. It allows community pharmacists to provide structured support to patients about their medication for a range of conditions and takes place over three conversations during the first several weeks after a medicine is started.
It’s not a one-off chat. It’s a proper follow-up structure — usually three separate conversations — giving you the chance to raise concerns as they come up, not just on day one when everything still feels fine.
The service is for people who have just been prescribed a new medicine for a long-term condition. Things like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, or anticoagulation therapy. If your GP has recently added something new to your repeat prescription, you’re likely eligible.
What Happens During the Service?
The first conversation happens when you collect your prescription. The pharmacist will go through what the medicine is for, how to take it, and what to watch out for.
You’ll then be followed up with – either in person or by phone – a couple of weeks later. This is where most of the useful work happens. By that point you’ve actually been taking the medication, so any real questions have surfaced. Side effects, whether it seems to be working or not, and any interactions with food or other medicines.
If something isn’t right, the pharmacist can contact your GP directly. You don’t have to go back to the surgery yourself.
At Saturn Pharmacy in Mitcham, we carry out NMS consultations in a private area — not across the dispensing counter. It’s a proper conversation, not a rushed handover.
How Is This Different from Pharmacy First?
They’re separate services. The NHS Pharmacy First service is for when you’re acutely unwell with one of seven common conditions — sore throat, earache, sinusitis, and others — and need same-day assessment and possible treatment without a GP appointment.
The New Medicines Service is for long-term medication support. One is for new illnesses. The other is for new prescriptions for ongoing conditions. Both are free on the NHS, and both are available at Saturn Pharmacy.
If you’re not sure which applies to your situation, NHS England confirms the New Medicines Service is specifically for people newly prescribed medicines for eligible long-term conditions — your pharmacist can tell you quickly whether you qualify. NHS England
Who Should Use It?
Anyone newly prescribed a long-term medication who has questions, doubts, or just wants to make sure they’re getting it right. Research consistently shows that between 30 and 50 per cent of prescribed medicines aren’t taken as recommended — often not because patients don’t want to, but because nobody properly explained what to expect.
You can book a New Medicines Service consultation or ask about our full NHS pharmacy services in Mitcham by calling 020 8769 6692 or visiting us at 75 Mitcham Lane, SW16 6LY.
FAQ SECTION
Is the new medicines service free?
Yes, it’s a fully funded NHS advanced service. There’s no charge to you for any of the consultations.
What conditions qualify for the New Medicines Service?
It covers a range of long-term conditions, including asthma, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and anticoagulation therapy, among others. Your pharmacist can confirm eligibility when you collect your new prescription.
How many appointments does the New Medicines Service involve?
The service involves three conversations — typically spread over the first few weeks after starting your new medication. These can be in person or by phone, depending on what suits you.
Can the pharmacist contact my GP if there’s a problem?
Yes. If the pharmacist identifies a concern during your NMS consultations, they can refer you back to your prescriber directly without you having to book a separate GP appointment.
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