The New Medicine Service (NMS) is a free NHS service available at LloydsPharmacy that can help you to get the most out of your newly prescribed medicine.

Its aim is to provide you with the support you need to understand your condition and to explain how taking your new medicine can help you manage your symptoms.

How does the New Medicine Service work?

Step 1 – Signing up for the service

Speak to a member of our pharmacy team to check you are eligible for the service. We’ll then make an appointment for you to discuss your new medicine with our pharmacist. This will take place in 7-14 days.

Step 2 – Your first consultation

We will discuss your condition and find out how you’re getting on with your new medicine. We will also be able to suggest lifestyle changes you can make to help make your medicine more effective.

Step 3 – Your follow-up consultation

We will check that everything is going smoothly and you’re happy with your medicine. We will also be able to answer any questions or concerns that you might have about your new medicine.

All steps can either be face-to-face in the pharmacy or over the phone – it’s your choice

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Although this NHS service is only available in England and the Isle of Man, if you live elsewhere in the UK our pharmacists are still able to provide you with advice and support for any new medicines you are taking. Please just pop in and ask.

Who is the service for?

This service is for anyone who has been prescribed with new medicines and may need further advice on when and how to take them properly. Also we can advise on potential side effects you may experience.

This includes those taking medicines for:

How will the service help me?

Whether you have been recently diagnosed, or living for some time with one of the conditions listed above, it can still be overwhelming when you get prescribed a new medicine to help manage your symptoms.

Your GP will explain how and when you take your medicines and it’s very important that you follow this advice. But, there may be questions you think of after you start taking your medicine, especially because it may take time before you feel the effects. In some cases, it is perfectly normal to experience side effects as your body gets used to the new medicine. It’s important to know as much as possible so you know what to expect.

This is where the New Medicine Service can help. Our pharmacists are experts in medicines; they are able to offer you support and advice and answer any questions or concerns, so your new medicine becomes a normal part of your daily routine.

If you live elsewhere in the UK you can still get new medicine support and advice from our pharmacists. Just pop in and ask; they’ll be more than happy to help you.

Keeping your GP informed

This is an NHS service so we might tell your GP that you’ve taken part in the service, and also let them know the outcome of our discussions. This is really important as it helps to give a consistent approach to your treatment, and will keep them informed about any concerns you've had and how we have worked through them.

IMPORTANT: It’s essential that you always take your medicine. If you’re unsure about anything, please speak to our pharmacist or a doctor for advice. Never simply stop your treatment as this could have negative effects.

LloydsDirect by LloydsPharmacy can help with your NHS repeat prescriptions

If you are prescribed repeat medication, LloydsDirect by LloydsPharmacy can help to manage your prescriptions online by ordering them directly with your GP on your behalf. With simple online and in-app ordering your medication will be available when you need it, benefit from free delivery and free reminders when to re-order your medication. We can deliver to a UK address of your choice – your home, work, a carer or neighbour for free.

Find out more

Our pharmacy team have put the appropriate Covid Infection Prevention and Control measures in place to ensure that we can provide services, care and advice to you safely.

References

Internal data for LloydsPharmacy Medicine Use Review outcomes with 126,895 patients in England Apr-Jun 2015.

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