Study supports New Medicine Service

Research published today shows that the New Medicine Service (NMS), an innovative medicines advice service for patients, could improve patients' lives and save scarce NHS resources. A randomised controlled trial showed that 10 weeks after receiving the NMS consultations from their community pharmacists, patients were more likely to be taking their medicine (or had sought help from their prescriber), compared with those who received the normal service from their pharmacist. The evaluation of the NMS was carried out by The University of Nottingham and University College London, and was commissioned by the Department of Health. Seven in every 10 patients who received the NMS from their pharmacist took their medicine or had sought help from the prescriber, compared with six in every 10 in the control group who received the normal service Economic modeling showed that the service could increase a patient's length and quality of life while costing the NHS less, when compared with patients who did not receive the service.