Pharmacy Services

New Medicine Service

Speak to a pharmacist and get help and support on new medication you have been given.

Be fully informed with our new medicine service

Have you recently been prescribed a medicine, but you’ve completely forgotten what your GP said? Or perhaps you are suffering from side effects that you’re not sure how to manage?

Our New Medicine Service (NMS) can help.

We can help you understand more about your medication, how to take it and how to manage any side effects. We can also help with any questions you might have. This will allow you to take back control of your health and get the most out of taking your medicine

Visit your local Whitworth’s Pharmacy to find out about this NHS-funded service.

The New Medication Service is an NHS-funded service. It gives you the early help and support you need when you have just been prescribed a medicine by letting you sit down and have a private chat with one of our friendly pharmacists.

It is the perfect time to ask any questions about your medicine that you forgot to ask your doctor so you can get the most from your medicine and manage any side effects.

The New Medicine Service is available for people who have been prescribed medication for the following conditions:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Osteoporosis
- Gout
- Glaucoma
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson's disease
- Urinary incontinence or Retention
- Heart failure
- Coronary heart disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Unstable angina or Heart attack
- Stroke or Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- Long-term risk of blood clots or blocked blood vessels, including DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
- Lung conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and emphysema
- People who have been given new blood thinning medication
However, you can get help with your medicines any time by popping into your local Whitworth Pharmacy and speaking to one of our pharmacists.
The New Medication Service works in three stages. These are as follows:
Step 1: First consultation
Speak to a member of the pharmacy team to check you are eligible for the New Medicine Service then pop in to book your appointment. This first chat will give you the chance to talk to your pharmacist and ask any initial questions that we might be able to solve quickly.
Step 2: Second consultation
In this appointment, we will speak to you further about how you’re getting on with your medicine and give you the chance to mention any issues or concerns. We will also be able to suggest any lifestyle changes that might help you manage any side effects. We will then make another appointment for a follow-up conversation in another 14-21 days.
Step 3: Third appointment
Your third and final appointment will give us another chance to see how you are getting on with your new medication and allow you to answer any further questions.
We will let your GP know that you have taken part in the New Medication Service and tell them what we have discussed so we can help support you better, every step of the way.
All appointments with your pharmacist are strictly confidential and will be held in an area where the conversation cannot be overheard, such as a private consultation room, or over the phone.
1. How long do the New Medicine Service appointments take?
The New Medicine Service appointments usually take around 15-20 minutes. However, our customers are more important than the clock, so we may take slightly longer if necessary.
2. How much does the New Medicine Service cost?
The New Medicine Service is funded by the NHS.
3. Do I have to discuss my medicines over the counter?
No. The conversation will be held in an area where the conversation cannot be overheard, such as a private consultation room, or over the phone.

If your new medication has given you side effects or you’ve forgotten what your GP said when it was prescribed, then the new medicine service at your local Whitworth Pharmacy can help. We can answer any questions you have, tell you how to manage side-effects and allow you take back control of your health. Call in today to have your questions answered.