The story 

The long-awaited pharmacy funding settlement finally revealed the fate of the new medicine service (NMS) in September. After four temporary extensions, the service was given the permanent go-ahead on the back of a positive independent evaluation, concluded in August. The study by the University of Nottingham found the NMS “significantly” improved medicines adherence and saved the NHS money. 

The reaction 

Most readers welcomed the decision and were keen to see the service developed further. Nevertheless, there remained some questions over the service’s design and implementation. Some readers expressed concerns that the NMS duplicated the work of GPs and cast doubts over the patient benefit.

 

Your shout. What has been the success story of the year?

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"Despite being poorly designed and implemented, it is a good service when done properly, though it needs some publicity to help it function better."

Kevin Western, C+D reader

 

"This [service] is an opportunity to become recognised as clinicians. We should retain and not devalue our core ‘safe supply’ role but it isn’t enough and, to be honest, it probably never was"

Graham Phillips, owner, Manor Pharmacy Group (Wheathampstead) Ltd, Hertfordshire

 

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Buck’s Fizz glass half full:

The service will increase public confidence in the pharmacy profession and establish its role beyond dispensing. The cost savings and improved patient outcomes will boost the sector in the eyes of commissioners – resulting in more services being funded and greater involvement of pharmacy in care pathways. 

Buck’s Fizz glass half empty:

Pharmacists struggle to implement the service while juggling increasing prescription volumes and services, with the added demand of needing to target 70 per cent of MURs towards specific groups. Pharmacists come up against a lack of interest from some patients, who feel they have received enough information from their GP, and public knowledge of the service remains low.

 

Christmas disco dedication

It’s not right but it’s okay by Whitney Houston

The NMS may not be perfect, but it’s certainly a step forward in establishing pharmacy’s service role.