New Medicine Service (NMS)

If you've been prescribed a medicine to treat a long-term condition for the first time, you may be able to get extra help and advice about your medicine from our pharmacists through a free scheme called the New Medicine Service (NMS).

When you start a new medicine taking it at the right time is important for how it works. If you struggle to take your medicines you should talk with your Doctor. Sometimes when you start a new medicine there are side effects as your body gets used to it but they should go away, if they don’t, speak to a Pharmacist for more information. A new medicine can be prescribed for conditions that might not have any symptoms such as High Blood pressure where the idea is to treat it to reduce the risk of further problems in the future.

When you are prescribed a new medicine the first few weeks are important to see how you get on with that treatment, whether you get any side effects and that the medicine does what we want it to. Medicines often have two names, the Brand name which is what the manufacturer calls their product and the Generic name which is the active ingredient in the medicine prescribed. With all medicines there is a patient information leaflet which contains information about what the medicine is, what it is for and what side effects you could experience, you can find a digital version here Medicine and Drug Directory | Information and Side Effects | Patient.

There are some new medicines that the NHS believe have an increased risk of things going wrong when you start them so they have funded a free service called the New Medicine Service which looks to help you get the best out of your new medicine .

Search to see if your new medicine is eligible for this free NHS service to help you with your new medicine.

We are here to support you with a series of articles on understanding and managing conditions covered by NMS:

• Tips for managing asthma

• Understanding Gout: Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention

• Understanding Acute Coronary Syndromes: Types, Symptoms, and Prevention

• Understanding Atrial Fibrillation: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

• Understanding Stroke and TIA: Fast Action for a Healthier Tomorrow

• Understanding and Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Comprehensive Guide

• Navigating Hypertension: Understanding, Managing, and Living a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle