New Medicine Service at Highfield Pharmacy, St Albans

Starting a new prescription can be worrying. Highfield Pharmacy in St Albans offers the NHS New Medicine Service (NMS) to give patients clear, compassionate support when they begin a newly prescribed medicine.

Our aim is to help you understand your medicine, manage side-effects, and take it safely and effectively so it can work as intended.

What is the New Medicine Service?

About the service

The New Medicine Service is an NHS pharmacy service that provides one-to-one support for people who have been newly prescribed a medicine for a long-term condition or certain therapies. The service helps patients understand why a medicine has been prescribed, how and when to take it, and what to expect.

What the pharmacist will do

During the NMS consultation, the pharmacist will:

• Check you understand the purpose of the medicine and how to take it.
• Review possible side-effects and how to manage them.
• Assess whether the medicine is helping and if you are taking it as prescribed.
• Provide practical tips to improve adherence and written information where needed.

Who is eligible for the New Medicine Service?

Typical eligibility

The NMS is available to people who have been given a new NHS prescription for a medicine used to manage a long-term condition or certain higher-risk treatments. Examples include medicines for cardiovascular risk, respiratory conditions, diabetes and anticoagulation.

If you are unsure whether your prescription qualifies, please ask the pharmacist — we will check and explain the options.

Eligibility checklist

• You have started a new NHS prescription for a long-term condition or specified therapy.
• You would like extra support to understand or take your medicine.
• You are registered with an NHS prescriber (GP, practice nurse or clinic).

How Highfield Pharmacy delivers the New Medicine Service

Consultation options

We provide the NMS in a private consultation room to ensure confidentiality and a relaxed environment. Where appropriate, we can arrange a telephone follow-up if that is more convenient for you.

Typical process at Highfield Pharmacy

1. We invite you for an initial consultation shortly after you collect your new medicine.

1. The pharmacist discusses how to take the medicine, expected benefits, and possible side-effects.

1. A follow-up review is conducted to check how you are getting on and to answer further questions.

Working with your GP and records

With your consent, the pharmacist can communicate concerns or feedback to your GP to ensure your care is coordinated. All consultations are handled discreetly and recorded in accordance with NHS confidentiality standards.

Practical advice and a checklist for patients

Simple steps to get the most from your medicine

• Keep a simple medicines list detailing name, dose and time of day.
• Use a daily routine, alarm or medicine reminder to improve adherence.
• Read the patient information leaflet provided and ask the pharmacist about anything unclear.
• Store medicines as advised on the label or leaflet and keep them out of reach of children.

Symptom and concern checklist to bring to your appointment

• Any side-effects you may have noticed.
• Missed doses or difficulty following the regimen.
• Other medicines, vitamins or herbal supplements you take.
• Any allergies or previous reactions to medicines.

How to book your New Medicine Service appointment

You can arrange an NMS appointment at Highfield Pharmacy by visiting the pharmacy in St Albans and speaking to the counter team or pharmacist. We will find a convenient time for a private consultation, and can arrange a follow-up review either in person or by phone.

If you would like the pharmacy to liaise with your GP about the NMS, let us know and we will obtain your consent to share relevant information.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who can ask for an NMS appointment?

A: Any patient who has been started on a new NHS prescription for a qualifying long-term condition or therapy can request the service. If you are unsure, ask our pharmacist and we will confirm eligibility.

Q: Will the NMS cost me anything?

A: The New Medicine Service is an NHS-funded service and is free to eligible patients when provided as part of the NHS programme.

If you have questions about a new prescription or would like support to take your medicine safely and confidently, please visit Highfield Pharmacy in St Albans, ask at the counter, or speak to one of our pharmacists to book your New Medicine Service appointment today.