A free NHS service has launched in community pharmacies across England, aimed at supporting more effective use of newly prescribed medicines for Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy.
Advice and information
Through the New Medicine Service, the pharmacist will provide advice, information and reassurance to patients during the first months of a new treatment. The consultation will take place typically 7–14 days after the medicine is prescribed, with follow-up at approximately 28 days, which can take place over the telephone, if preferred.
All community pharmacies in England with consultation rooms will be able to provide the service. GPs can refer to this service or patients can self-refer. General practices will not receive paperwork every a patient enrols in the New Medicine Service, and pharmacists will only refer patients back to the practice when it is clear that a prescriber review is required.
Better clinical outcomes
Mike Holden, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said, “Studies have shown that patients who receive support from a pharmacist when starting a new medicine, to complement advice given by the prescriber, are more likely to be taking it as prescribed at 28 days. The research also demonstrates that the number of patients with medicine-related problems also reduces significantly. Better adherence to medication is associated with better clinical outcomes.
The New Medicine Service is in addition to – not a replacement for – the NHS Medicines Use Review service, which remains available in pharmacies.
Pharmacist Paul Johnson discusses the New Medicine Service