# What Is the New Medicine Service (NMS)? | Pick My Pharmacy

URL: https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/answers/what-is-the-new-medicine-service/
Description: The New Medicine Service is a free NHS pharmacy service that supports you when you start a new medicine for certain long-term conditions.

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NHS Services & Rules

# What is the New Medicine Service?

By [Kaiser Khan](/author/kaiser-khan/) · Updated 9 July 2026

In short

The New Medicine Service (NMS) is a free NHS service where your pharmacist checks in with you after you start a new medicine for a qualifying long-term condition, to help you use it correctly, manage side effects, and stick with the treatment.

At a glance

- ·Free at participating community pharmacies
- ·Covers conditions including asthma, COPD, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension
- ·Involves an initial consultation plus a follow-up around 2-4 weeks later
- ·Aims to improve how well you take a new medicine as prescribed
- ·Optional — you can decline without affecting your prescription

## How the service works

When you're prescribed a new medicine for a qualifying condition, your pharmacist may offer to enrol you in the New Medicine Service. You'll have a short conversation about the medicine, then a follow-up call or visit a few weeks later to check how you're getting on, address any side effects, and answer questions.

## Which conditions qualify

The NMS typically covers people newly prescribed medicines for asthma, COPD, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain anticoagulants (blood thinners), among other conditions set nationally — ask your pharmacist if your new medicine qualifies.

## Why it exists

Research shows many people stop taking new long-term medicines correctly, or at all, within the first few months — often due to side effects or uncertainty about how to take them. The NMS is designed to catch problems early and improve outcomes.

Next step

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## People Also Ask
Do I have to take part in the New Medicine Service?+
No, it's entirely optional. Declining has no effect on your prescription or care.
Is there a charge for the New Medicine Service?+
No, it's a free NHS service at pharmacies that offer it.

Keep reading

- [How do repeat prescriptions work?](/answers/how-do-repeat-prescriptions-work/)
- [What can a pharmacist help with?](/answers/what-can-a-pharmacist-help-with/)
- [New Medicine Service](/services/new-medicine-service/)

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This article is general information for UK patients, not medical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on [nhs.uk](https://www.nhs.uk) or speak to a pharmacist or GP before acting. For urgent medical help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from our[methodology](/methodology/).