Worried About a New Medicine? Let’s Talk About It

Written by Rahul PuriSuperintendent Pharmacist, MPharm, PgDip, PgCert IP

Medically reviewed 8 October 2026

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Starting a medicine can raise practical questions about instructions, side effects and fitting treatment into daily life. A pharmacist can help you work through those questions and identify when your prescriber needs to review the plan.

Who can use the New Medicine Service?

Eligibility depends on the condition and new medicine. Ask the pharmacist when collecting your prescription whether you can take part. If this particular service is not suitable, you can still ask where to get help with a medicine concern.

What happens at the appointments?

You can discuss how you are getting on, instructions you are unsure about and problems linked to taking the medicine. Appointments may be by phone or in a private consultation area. Some concerns need a GP review rather than a change made during the pharmacy conversation.

Bring the questions that matter to you

• What is the medicine intended to help with, and how will we know it is working?
• What should I do if I miss a dose or cannot follow the instructions?
• Which symptoms should prompt advice or urgent help?
• Does it affect my other medicines, supplements, food or alcohol?

Bring the medicine packaging and a current list of everything you take. Explain what you actually manage in daily life, including any doses you have missed. That helps the pharmacist give relevant advice.

Ask Rahul

Rahul Puri | Pharmacist

Understanding medicines and follow-up

What if I feel embarrassed that I have not taken it as prescribed?

Tell us what has been happening and why. Difficulty remembering, side effects and uncertainty about the purpose of treatment are useful things to discuss. The aim is to agree a workable, safe next step.

Reference: NHS New Medicine Service. Find out about other Pharmacy First advice.