NMS myth busting series (#2)
This is the second of a series of articles to tackle some of the misconceptions around the New Medicine Service (NMS). The articles will cover a variety of aspects of NMS and aims to myth bust, to increase understanding of the service.
Myth: Distance Selling Premises (DSP) pharmacies can provide NMS in-person face-to-face at the pharmacy premises.
Wrong! Since 1st October 2025, DSPs are not permitted to provide Directed services (Advanced, National Enhanced, Enhanced) face-to-face with patients present at the pharmacy premises. Therefore, NMS cannot be provided in this way.
Myth: I can always offer NMS to a patient if they have had a formulation change.
Wrong! It is not generally appropriate for the service to be provided where there has been a formulation change.
The rationale for this is that a change from one solid dosage form to another is unlikely to lead to clinical issues for a patient and hence provision of the service in such circumstances would not provide value to the NHS. However, there may be circumstances where, in the professional opinion of the pharmacist, they believe the patient would benefit from the provision of the service where they are moving from one formulation of a medicine to another. In this case, the service can be provided and the pharmacist should document the rationale for their professional decision in the pharmacy’s clinical record for the service.
Myth: I cannot provide NMS in a patient’s home.
Wrong! The service may be provided in patients’ homes, but the pharmacy owner must ensure appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place, including ensuring pharmacists have a valid Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate, and there are appropriate procedures and indemnity arrangements in place. Evidence of safeguarding checks, procedures and indemnity must be made available to the commissioner upon request.
