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NHS New Medicine Service

NHS New Medicine Service

An NHS-funded service that is provided free at the point of use. You can check your eligibility or we automatically notify you when you qualify. Book a consultation with one of our trained clinicians who will help you manage your newly prescribed medicine.

New Medicine Service

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How NHS New Medicine Service Works

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Service Guide

Everything you need to know about the NHS New Medicine Service

What is the NHS New Medicine Service and how does it work?

Between 30% and 50% of prescribed medicines are not taken as recommended. This means that a lot of medicines are wasted or are not as effective as they could be.

NowPatient offers the New Medicine Service (NMS) remotely to NHS users in England being prescribed new medications to treat eligible long-term conditions. It is potentially a two-part virtual consultation service funded by the NHS and is provided at no cost to you. It aims to help you manage newly prescribed medications, by supporting you to make shared decisions about your care.

The service will:

  • Help you to find out more about the new medicine you are taking
  • Help to sort out any problems you are having with your new medicine
  • Give you a chance to ask questions about your medicine and discuss any concerns
  • Help to improve the effectiveness of your new medicine, for example, there may be an easier or better way to take it
  • Help you to make your own decisions about managing your condition
  • Help you to improve your health, which could lead to fewer GP and hospital visits.

What long term conditions are covered for NMS eligibility?

Is the NHS New Medicine Service safe for me to use?

Yes. The NHS New Medicine Service is classified as a Class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations, for its intended use. It also complies with NHS standards DTAC, DCB 0160 & DCB 0129.

How much does the service cost?

The service is FREE for users who qualify. It is commissioned by the NHS and you will not be charged.

Is the service secure when conducted remotely?

Yes. NowPatient operates from a HIPAA, DTAC, and Cyber Essentials Plus certified compliant platform that assures the highest levels of information security and allows us to safely handle PHI (Patient Health Information). Clinicians who access our systems do so on a zero-trust basis backed with SSO technologies.

What are the 3 stages of the NHS New Medicine Service Consultation

Patient Engagement

There are two ways in which engagement happens.

  • Self Check – You can check if a new medication you have recently been prescribed is eligible for the service.
  • Automatic Notification – We will notify you of service eligibility if we dispense a newly prescribed medication that qualifies for support.

Intervention

The first remote NHS New Medicine Service Consultation usually lasts around 10 minutes. Our clinician will assess your adherence to the medicine(s), identify problems, and determine if you need further information and/or support.

Our clinician will provide advice and further support and will agree on one of the following next steps with you:

  • That you are adhering to the medicine(s) and no problems have been identified – agree time for the follow-up consultation (typically between 14 and 21 days after this consultation)
  • Problems are identified but it is the clinical judgment of our clinician that intervention by your prescriber or PCN clinical pharmacist is not required – agree on the time for the follow-up consultation (typically between 14 and 21 days after this consultation) and any appropriate remedial steps to be taken by you in the meantime. Such steps could include a reasonable adjustment (e.g. the use of items such as reminder charts)
  • Problems are identified and it is the clinical judgment of the clinician that intervention by your prescriber is required. No follow-up consultation is required and the service will have been completed
  • Depending on the condition, our clinicians may offer you advice on healthy living / public health topics

Follow-up

The clinician will assess your adherence to the medicine(s), identify problems, and determine your need for further information and support via a follow-up video consultation.

Our clinician will provide advice and further support and will agree on one of the following next steps with you:

  • That you are adhering to the regimen. At this point, the service will have been completed
  • Problem identified – clinician and you both agree on a solution. At this point, the service will have been completed
  • Problem identified – referral to the doctor for review. At this point, the service will have been completed

How do I engage with the NHS New Medicine Service?

There are two ways you can engage the New Medicine Service.

  • Self Check – You can check if a new medication you have recently been prescribed is eligible for the service.
  • Automatic Notification – We will notify you of service eligibility if we dispense a newly prescribed medication that qualifies for support.

Self Check

Navigate to the NHS New Medicine Service Card which can be found in the ‘NHS Hub’ section of the account homepage.

Select ‘Check Eligibility’ from the Options Menu on the NHS New Medicine Service Card and follow the steps below:

Step 1 – AI Chat Bot: Check Service Eligibility

You’ll first be directed to a page with an AI Chat Bot. Answer the questions presented to determine your eligibility for the service. If you qualify, you’ll be prompted to book a consultation. Click on the ‘Book Consultation’ button to proceed. You should plan to book the consultation 7-14 days from the point you start taking your new medication.

 

Step 2 – Now follow the instructions below to complete your booking

Nowpatient Book consultation flow

Automatic Notification

If you have an NHS prescription being dispensed by NowPatient, our system can identify whether you are being prescribed medication for the first time.

If you’re eligible for an NHS New Medicine Service consultation, we’ll send you an invitation to take part. This invitation will be sent to you by In-App and Push notifications directly to your device.

Once you receive the notification, navigate to ‘Notifications’ on the account homepage. Here you can open the invitation and click ‘Book Consultation’. You should plan to book the consultation 7-14 days from the point you start taking your new medication.

Now follow the instructions below to complete your booking:

Nowpatient Book consultation flow

How will I find out if I require a follow-up NHS New Medicine Service consultation?

During the first NHS New Medicine Service consultation, the attending clinician will assess your adherence to the medicine(s), identify problems, and determine if you need further support via a follow-up video consultation.

If it is in the opinion of the attending clinician that you require a follow-up, you will receive a recommendation, immediately after your initial consultation. This recommendation will be sent to you by In-App and Push notification, directly to your device.

Once you receive the notification, navigate to ‘Notifications’ on the account homepage. Here you can open the recommendation and click ‘Book Consultation’. You should plan to book the consultation 14-21 days from the date of the first consultation.

Will you have access to my GP records?

Yes, as an NHS patient, our clinicians will be able to access your GP record, including medications, observations, and investigations. This ensures our clinicians are able to assess you appropriately.

Do I need to provide any consents before the NHS New Medicine Service Consultation?

During the virtual consultation, we will obtain a consent from you for providing this service. This is required so we can communicate with your GP and provide information to NHS England, NHS Improvement, and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) if required.

Is the service available in the United States and the United Kingdom?

No. At the moment, it is only available in England.

Can I use NowPatient’s NHS New Medicines Service if I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

This service is commissioned by NHS England and is only available to patients in England. You will not be able to use the feature if you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Can I use the service if I don't have my prescriptions dispensed by you?

Yes. We are working to allow GPs in England to refer patients directly to our virtual service. There is no cost to you and you do not need to have your prescriptions dispensed by us.

How to prepare for your first NHS New Medicine Service remote video consultation

How can you prepare for your discussions with the clinician?

  • Read the leaflet that comes with your new medicine
  • Make a note of questions you want to ask about your new medicine
  • Make a note of any concerns about your new medicine that you may want to discuss with your Clinician
  • Bring your new medicine to the meeting with your clinician

What happens after my NHS New Medicine Service remote video consultation?

You may be sent a short survey asking you about your experience attending your remote video consultation. We encourage you to complete this as it provides us with valuable feedback to improve your experience in the future. It’s helpful for us if you point out things that didn’t go well, and suggest ways of improving the experience for you and others.

At the end of each consultation, you will receive a notification which will summarise the outcome. It will also advise you if any referrals were made to your doctor, along with any other advice that was given to you by the clinician. You will be notified of the summary via an In-App and Push notification. Once you receive the notification, navigate to ‘Notifications’ on the account homepage and you will be able to view it.

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About Telehealth

Everything you need to know about video consultations

Watch the video below for a rundown of how NowPatient’s remote video consultations work:

What are the steps to booking a live video consultation?

Nowpatient Book consultation flow

Are remote video consultations right for me?

Remote video consultations or synchronous consultations are suitable for many patients who do not need a physical examination and who can communicate via video. Remote video consultations might not always be suitable – for example, if you need a test or physical examination. If that is the case, you will need to attend your doctor’s practice.

Although our Clinicians are clinically trained in various services that we provide, they are not a substitute for your doctor if you have a serious illness or life-threatening condition. If at any time during your remote video consultation, you feel that you would like to end that consultation, then you can say so and the consultation will be ended.

How do I know if the remote video consultation service is safe?

NowPatient has specific safeguards and protocols in place that ensures the service we provide you is safe, secure and effective. Our video technology platform is certified to the highest industry standards of data security and clinical governance.

Do I need to verify my identity during the remote video consultation?

Yes, for your safety and to ensure that the service we provide you, complies with regulations, our clinicians will request that you hold up your ID at the start of your virtual consultation to verify your identity.

Can I have a chaperone (carer, friend, family member) join a remote video consultation?

Yes. If they are in the same location as you, it is possible to have someone with you during your video consultation. You should let your clinician know if you have someone with you at the start of your appointment. You may be asked what relationship the chaperone has to you.

How can I be sure that you are handling and protecting my data securely?

We not only meet the UK and US standards for data security but we exceed them. We demonstrate this by regularly auditing our systems, both internally and externally.

Our various externally audited accreditations such as ISO27001, DTAC, DSPT, and Cyber Essentials + demonstrate our compliance with global security standards and should give you peace of mind.

How is my data stored?

NowPatient’s commitment to data residency is a key priority, and to that end, we only house data in validated data centers. We pledge that UK-based data remains solely in the UK, while US data is governed by HIPAA-prescribed data security protocols.

The data centers we use align with the highest standards of security and privacy, which is demonstrated by a programme of regular external audits to demonstrate the efficacy of safeguards against contemporary threats.

Are my consultations confidential?

Yes, we follow strict General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) which came into force in May 2018. This places legal requirements on ourselves to ensure your personal data is managed securely with the utmost confidentiality. Records are maintained of the processing that is carried out and reported when breaches of the regulation do occur. Our platform is also HIPAA compliant which means we are able to handle PHI (Personal Health Information) securely.

Can I select which clinician I have my consultation with?

Yes. NowPatient allows you to choose from a pool of clinicians based on competencies, gender and languages spoken.

Will my doctor be informed of any consultations I have through the app?

We recognize that your doctor is responsible for your overall care. Our clinicians will communicate with your doctor if they have concerns or recommendations that could be beneficial for your overall care. Referrals are only made upon your explicit consent or if they form part of the terms of service that you consent to.

Do remote video consultations save money for health systems?

The traditional healthcare model encourages patients with health concerns to visit their doctor or pharmacy to seek a consultation. NowPatient is the first remote video consultation service that connects patients to a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians.

It allows patients to book a consultation with a clinician from anywhere in the United Kingdom and the United States. Consultations can be conducted using a smartphone, tablet or PC.

Are remote video consultations safer than online questionnaires?

NowPatient only provides its services in real time over a live video feed. This is called synchronous telehealth. We believe it is the safest way for you to receive remote care because it is in real-time. It is especially beneficial in an emergency situation as the clinician and patient can visually see each other. The clinician can ask all the questions they need to make a diagnosis or build a treatment plan during the consultation. Equally, any concerns you have can be addressed at the point of consultation.

Some providers use a low-tech approach for conducting clinical services such as a questionnaire or quiz. Although it may be suitable for low-risk clinical services, it often means you will not have any face-to-face interaction nor be able to raise concerns about treatment or diagnosis, in real-time, with the clinician who is providing your care.

What quality of care can I expect to receive from a remote video consultation?

Your remote video consultation, conducted by a NowPatient clinician, will always seek to provide you with safe, high-quality care. Your health and well-being is our priority. We continuously monitor and assess the services we provide you to ensure that it is safe, effective, caring and well-led.

Why am I being asked to provide my Blood Pressure reading?

For certain treatments and services, our clinicians require you to provide your most up-to-date blood pressure reading. This is to ensure that the service or treatment being considered is both suitable and safe for you.

If I don’t have a Blood Pressure monitor, how can I provide my readings?

The NowPatient app uses a new approach to measuring blood pressure using your smartphone camera held in front of your face. It is the world’s only blood pressure check without a cuff or wearable.

Is the remote blood pressure monitor safe and medically accurate?

Yes. It Is classified as a Medical Device. It conforms to EU CE and UKCA Class I Medical Device standards. There is also an impending CE Class IIa conformity, expected in Q2 2025.

How does the remote blood pressure monitor actually work?

The diagram below outlines how NowPatient’s blood pressure reading works:

How does NowPatient's blood pressure checker work?

When and how is my remote blood pressure reading taken?

At the point of booking any service or treatment, we will let you know whether there are any requirements for an up-to-date blood pressure reading.

If you are required to give a reading, you will be guided through a series of simple steps.

which devices does the remote Blood Pressure monitor work on?

You will need a recent iOS or Android smartphone with a front-facing camera. It is not available for use on desktop devices.

Why do my results keep failing when using the remote blood pressure monitor service?

Possible reasons why results are not being generated include:

  1. Bad lighting – Make sure you are well-lit by diffuse lighting. Avoid strong shadows and uneven lighting.
  2. Unstabilised device – Ensure your device is kept still during the reading.
  3. Not remaining still – You must stay still during the reading and avoid talking.
  4. Poor Wi-Fi – The service requires a strong and stable Wi-Fi signal.

I am not able to book consultations because I missed a few appointments. What can I do?

NowPatient uses sophisticated booking architecture to ensure that clinical resources are always productive. To ensure that we remain productive, we have a threshold of TWO missed booking appointments before we revoke your service booking rights. You will, of course, be notified after each missed booking. If you believe this is incorrect or that there were genuine reasons for your missed appointments, you can raise a ticket with the support desk.

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WHY WE BUILT NOWPATIENT

We are committed to helping everyone, everywhere live healthier lives

The NowPatient virtual care platform provides you with access to trusted health information, affordable treatments, management of chronic health conditions and continuous monitoring for health risks. NowPatient can be accessed by downloading the App or using your web browser.

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Your Questions Answered

For your peace of mind, we can answer your questions quickly

What does NowPatient do?

NowPatient is a digital health-technology platform functioning as both an online pharmacy and telehealth service. Packaged as a Class I software medical device, it’s accessible via web browser or mobile app (iOS and Android), and offers users worldwide on-demand access to virtual consultations, prescription services, and AI-powered health tools.

What It Does

    • NHS Online Pharmacy: Order NHS-approved prescriptions (UK)
    • Drug Savings: Access major US drug-savings programs (coupons, savings cards, manufacturer assistance, Canadian drug savings).
    • Virtual Consultations: Get treated for a wide range of medical conditions by expert clinicians using a secure telehealth link.
    • Medication Management: Set up refill & dose reminders, view private treatment plans, and track chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
  • Health-Monitoring Tools: Use AI-driven assessments for genetic risk tests, home test kits and blood-pressure monitoring.
  • Wellness Insights: Access real-time pollen counts, air-quality data, BMI and type 2 diabetes risk scores, plus comprehensive health-condition information.

Get started today and benefit from Medication RemindersGet Treated PrivatelyNHS Online PharmacyGP Appointment BookingRx Savings CardDrug CouponsUS Drug Savings ProgramsHealth Conditions InformationGenetic TestingHome Test KitsBMI RisksType 2 Diabetes RisksPollen MeterAir Quality Monitor, and lots more!

Our service is operated by experienced medical professionals in the United States and the United Kingdom.

You can view the online services we provide by clicking the link below:

Features

Where is NowPatient located?

NowPatient has offices in the United Kingdom and United States.

In the UK, we are located at:

NowPatient
28 Chipstead Valley Road
Coulsdon
Surrey
CR52RA

In the US, we are located at:

NowPatient
8911 North Capital of Texas Highway
Suite 4200 #1263
78759
Austin, TX

How can I contact NowPatient?

To contact NowPatient, please use the contact form available on the Contact Us page.

Alternatively, if you need to speak to us, you can reach us on the following numbers:

UK telephone number – 020 388 51 500
US telephone number – 1-866-967-1977

Who owns NowPatient?

NowPatient is owned and operated by Infohealth Ltd, a licensed online pharmacy with services spanning the UK, US and Rest of the World. Infohealth Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 04004930 and our registered office is at Lynwood House, 373 – 375 Station Road, Harrow, England, HA1 2AW.

Our website is www.nowpatient.com. Our App is called “NowPatient” and can be downloaded from the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google Play (for Android devices).

Can you tell me more about your NHS online pharmacy?

NowPatient’s Pharmaceutical services in the UK are provided by Infohealth Limited trading as ‘Infohealth Pharmacy’.

Our dispensing pharmacy is regulated and authorized for internet sales by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), registration number 1036487. You can view our license credentials on the General Pharmaceutical Council website. Our superintendent pharmacist who is responsible for the safe and effective oversight of medicines supplies is Mr Amish Patel (Registration Number 2042705).

Medicines are not ordinary items of commerce. All medicines or healthcare product sales are made under the supervision of a registered pharmacist who is licensed by the GPhC. At all times, we endeavour to provide a professional and transparent service whose primary goal is to ensure that the best interests of the patient are served.

How do I make a complaint?

From time to time, we accept that our service levels may not be up to your expectations. NowPatient welcomes concerns, compliments and complaints as valuable feedback that will help us learn from your experiences and make improvements. Feedback can be provided via our clear and transparent Complaints Procedures.

Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s prescribing services for treatments offered?

Our prescribing services are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). We provide the following regulated activity:

• treatment of disease, disorder, or injury
• transport services, triage, and medical advice are provided remotely
• caring for adults over 65 years old
• caring for adults under 65 years old

NowPatient prescribing services are run by Infohealth Limited. The Clinical Safety Officer and nominated individual is Mr Navin Khosla.

Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s US services?

Our head of US services is Dr. Jamie Winn.

You can lower the cost of your prescription medications using our various savings programs which include drug coupons, savings card and manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs.

What are the steps to booking a live video consultation?

Follow the steps below to book a consultation:

Nowpatient Book consultation flow

If I place an order, how do I check out?

Follow the steps below to checkout:

NowPatient checkout flow

Is NowPatient legit and can I trust information from NowPatient?

Yes. NowPatient provides trustworthy and accessible clinical, health education and prescription services. We are also trusted by the NHS to deliver clinical and NHS repeat prescription dispensing across the whole of England. In the United States, we work with over 65,000 pharmacies to deliver considerable costs savings for our users.

NowPatient is operated by experienced licensed medical professionals in the United Kingdom and United States. Our Medical Team can be found here.

Our service is trusted by thousands of patients worldwide. You can read their reviews on our Trustpilot:

NowPatient Trustpilot

Does NowPatient have insurance in place for the services it provides?

Yes. NowPatient is fully insured to provide pharmacy & prescribing services. Insurance not only provides peace of mind but also provides an effective safety net for both you and our clinicians.

Why is it important to choose an online pharmacy and telehealth service that is insured?

Insurance is more than just a financial safeguard, it is a signal of legitimacy and accountability.

We insure our services, so that it:

  • Shows you that we are compliant with all laws and industry standards in the markets that we operate.
  • Shows you that we are committed to standards of professionalism.
  • Reinforces your confidence that you are dealing with a reputable provider.

Who insures your services and which services are insured?

We are insured by the National Pharmacy Association in the UK.

The scope of the services covered include:

  • dispensing of prescriptions
  • telehealth prescribing services.

In addition, all of the clinicians that operate on our platform have their personal indemnity insurance & scope of clinical practice validated and checked before they are able to provide services.

What are NowPatient’s opening hours?

Our office hours are:

UK – Monday-Friday 9am-6pm GMT
US – Monday-Friday 8am-5pm EST

Please note that we are closed at weekends.

In the event of a medical life-threatening emergency please call:

UK – 999
US – 911

In the event of a medical emergency which is not life-threatening please call:

UK – 111