Starting a New Long-Term Medicine? What Free NHS Support Looks Like

Pharmacy & Medications

Written by the Veritas Pharmacy clinical team. Address: 113 Chester Road, Sunderland. Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, registration number 9012617.

Starting a new long-term medicine often comes with a leaflet full of warnings, a rushed explanation, and a lot left to work out alone. The New Medicine Service exists specifically for this moment – structured, free NHS support to help a new medicine actually work for you.

What the New Medicine Service is

The New Medicine Service, or NMS, is an NHS-funded programme available at registered pharmacies. It provides structured consultations with a pharmacist when a new medicine is prescribed for a long-term condition, helping you understand the medication, manage any side effects, and build confidence in taking it correctly. Patients who receive the NMS are significantly more likely to continue taking their medicine as prescribed, which translates directly into better long-term health outcomes.

Who is eligible

Eligibility applies to patients recently prescribed a new medicine for asthma or COPD, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, anticoagulation (such as warfarin or the newer NOACs), or antiplatelet therapy – provided the new prescription was dispensed within the past four weeks.

Book within four weeks of your prescription. The service is time-limited to new prescriptions dispensed in the past four weeks, so it is worth booking promptly rather than waiting.

What the three consultations cover

The first consultation, generally one to two weeks after starting the medicine, covers how to take it correctly, what to expect in the first weeks, common side effects, and any immediate concerns. A follow-up, two to four weeks later, checks in on adherence, side effects, and anything that has come up since. A final consultation, three to four weeks after that, reviews overall progress and confirms confidence with continuing – with any outstanding issues escalated to the GP if needed.

Follow-up and final consultations can be conducted by telephone or in person, whichever is more convenient, agreed at the initial consultation. There is no need to wait for a scheduled appointment if problems come up in between – contact the pharmacy at any time.

Recently started a new long-term medicine? Book your first consultation.

Book your NMS consultation — free

Or call 0191 503 4053. Address: 113 Chester Road, Sunderland, SR4 7HG.

Frequently asked questions about the New Medicine Service

How do I know if I qualify?

Eligibility applies to a new medicine for asthma/COPD, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy, prescribed within the past 4 weeks. Call if unsure.

Can follow-up consultations be by phone?

Yes. The follow-up and final consultations can be conducted by telephone or in person, whichever is more convenient, agreed at the initial consultation.

What if I have problems with my medicine before my next appointment?

Contact the pharmacy at any time — there is no need to wait for a scheduled consultation if experiencing side effects or concerns.

What happens if I’m struggling with my medicine?

The pharmacist works with you to address the problem, which might involve practical advice, adjusting dose timing, or communicating with the GP if a prescription change is needed.

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