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Pick up your prescription
Collect your new medicine at Qrystal Pharmacy or have it delivered. Mention you'd like the NMS — or our pharmacist will offer it if your prescription qualifies.
NHS New Medicine Service
Personal support for new medicines.
Free NHS pharmacist consultations to help you get the most from a medicine you've just been prescribed for a long-term condition.
- Free on NHSCost
- 3 consultationsSessions
- Long-term conditionsEligibility
What is the New Medicine Service?
The New Medicine Service (NMS) is a free NHS service offered through community pharmacies in England. If you've been newly prescribed a medicine for one of a number of long-term conditions, the NMS gives you dedicated time with a registered pharmacist to make sure the medicine is working for you and that you understand how to take it safely.
At Qrystal Pharmacy, NMS consultations happen in our private consultation room or by phone, at a time that suits you. There's no charge, no GP referral required, and your conversations remain confidential. The aim is straightforward: help you stick with a new medicine when starting it can feel uncertain, and reduce the risk of side effects, missed doses, or medicines being abandoned.
NHS data shows that 30-50% of patients don't take new medicines as prescribed in the first 10 days. The NMS exists to close that gap — for you specifically — by giving you a structured pharmacist conversation when you need it most.
Who is the NMS for?
You can use the NMS at Qrystal Pharmacy if you are 18 or over and have been newly prescribed a medicine for one of the conditions below.
- Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, or other conditions requiring antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy
- Acute coronary syndrome and stroke prevention
- Urinary incontinence and retention, gout, glaucoma, and epilepsy
- Parkinson's disease and immunosuppressant therapy
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and contraception
- Osteoporosis and overactive bladder (OAB)
How the NMS works at Qrystal
02
First consultation
Book a 10-15 minute consultation 7-14 days after starting your medicine. We discuss how it's going, side effects, and any questions.
03
Follow-up
A second consultation 14-21 days after the first checks how you're getting on, identifies any further issues, and confirms next steps with your GP if needed.
04
Ongoing support
Your records are shared securely with your GP. You can return any time for further advice — your prescription is now connected to a pharmacist who knows your history.
What's included
- 3 dedicated NHS-funded consultations with a registered pharmacist
- Private consultation room or phone consultation, your choice
- Confidential discussion of side effects and concerns
- Help understanding your dose, timing, and interactions
- Direct communication with your GP if anything needs adjusting
- No appointment required for follow-ups — drop in any time
NMS — frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for the New Medicine Service?
No. The NMS is fully funded by the NHS. There's no charge to you, regardless of whether you pay for the prescription itself.
How do I sign up for the NMS at Qrystal Pharmacy?
Just bring your new prescription in. If your medicine qualifies, our pharmacist will offer the NMS automatically. You can also call us on the number at the top of this page to check eligibility before you collect.
How long does each consultation take?
Usually 10-15 minutes. They can be face-to-face in our private consultation room or by phone if you prefer.
What if I'm worried about side effects?
That's exactly what the NMS is designed for. Your pharmacist will listen, advise, and contact your GP if any side effects need a prescription change. Don't stop taking the medicine without speaking to us first.
Can I do the NMS for a medicine I've been on for a while?
No — the NMS is only for medicines you've been newly prescribed. It must start within 14 days of you receiving the prescription. For ongoing medicines, ask about our Medicines Use Review service.
Will my GP know about the consultations?
Yes. With your consent, we share consultation summaries with your GP through the NHS-secured electronic system. This keeps your care joined up.
Is the consultation private?
Completely. We have a dedicated consultation room separate from the dispensing area. Phone consultations are equally confidential.
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Learn moreHave questions about the NMS?
Our pharmacists are ready to help. Walk in, call, or chat with us today.