1. New Medicines Service(NMS) Maximising Advances Services
Mark Oak

2. In the beginning…… March 2014
Joined a forward thinking independent community pharmacy
Strong client base offering a diverse range of services to patients
Including EHC, MURs, Flu Vaccinations, Smoking Cessation and Minor Ailments
The NEW MEDICINES SERVICE was not actively pursued, initially had engaged with service but time and resourses were limited

3. Why can’t we always deliver efficiently
Biggest barriers to us delivering the service
Time
Three step process (Initiation/Consent, Intervention and Follow Up) , other services are a single interaction
Staff training and awareness
Something else to just add to the long list!

4. Lets look at the positives if we deliver….
Service
Increases the scope of the pharmacy’s services
Prevents patients using medicines incorrectly and increases likelihood of compliance
Prevents unnecessary hospital admissions and adverse drug reactions
Increases patient self-management and future health outcomes
Improves the service provided to at risk patients
We do this already every day!

5. Lets look at the positives if we deliver….
Business
Remuneration is comparable to MURs if delivered in significant numbers
Customers engage and appreciate the service, especially when we can make positive interventions
Promotes repeat custom
Limited expenditure needed (uses current resources – staff, expertise)
Can promote patients coming in-store e.g. for blood pressure check, opportunity for further services

6. We need to share the responsibility…
Often we find that the responsibility falls with the pharmacist for services, sometimes understandably. In this case identification and organisational aspects can be delegated
Pharmacists
Locums
Technicians
Dispensing Team
Shop staff
Apprentices and Pre-Reg’s

7. How did we set our team up?
Engage with all staff about the service
Dispensary team can identify and communicate about potential NMS candidates
Shop healthcare assistants can give a brief overview of the service if a patient asks before the pharmacist takes over
Feedback to the team at daily morning meetings and monitor performance

8. Lets keep it simple! Keep the service as simple as possible
Consent forms ready, stapled to the intervention and follow up paperwork
Keep this paperwork at arms reach
NMS identification activated on PMR system to aid recruitment
Folder set up with monthly patient list of those signed up and day of the month divider used to insert paperwork on the relevant day to action
Try and keep on top of the interventions and follow up – daily basis?
Senior members of the team understand service process for guidance to other team members and locums
Medicines included in the service on dispensary wall, easily visible!

9. Shall we let others know?
Our team decided to engage with the local GP practices we collect prescriptions from
Letters were sent – promoting and explaining the service
Meetings were held – this helped put a name to a face and promoted working relationships
Little was known about the service at GP surgeries but once it was explained everyone was on board!
Lets have a go!

10. Surprisingly good start to the service
Patients were receptive to the service – their healthcare and medication we were taking an interest in, easy sell with positive benefits
Highlighted the amount of new medicines we get through the door each day
Couple of minutes with each patient explaining about dosage schedule, counselling points, learning a little about the patients condition and gaining consent
Patients happy to hear from us when we made the calls, staff were SUPRISINGLY excited when they found one to recruit!

11. Teething problems Untidy folder!
Stay organised, if you get chance get other members of the team to check for workload
Getting the time to make the calls on the relevant day
Try to spend a few minutes each day on it, a few calls can be made in quiet spells
Claiming in time for month end
If it becomes part of the day job it wont be an issue
How to make interventions to the GP
Pre-printed forms are difficult to fill in on the phone neatly, write basic letters to the GP
Look at the weather!!!! Frustrating when we call and people are out
Most people don’t like the rain, quiet shop and everyone is in!

12. Integration with other services
Through appropriate referrals we can actually increase numbers……..
Healthy Living Pharmacy
Blood pressure checks, NHS Health Checks
Communication with surgery to get same or next day appointments for patients with high blood pressure
Written communication to the GP - NEW NMS RECRUIT

13. Integration with other services
By conducting regular and evidence based reviews we can increase numbers…
Medicines Use Reviews
Sub optimal therapy e.g. patients monitoring BP at home
Side effects e.g. cough with ACEi
Inconvenient treatment for patient e.g. warfarin – change to Rivaroxaban
NEW NMS RECRUITS

14. Benefits to our pharmacy service
Become part of the day job – no need to monitor and communicate on a daily basis
Patients come back to see us each time, they appreciate the call and remind us when we haven’t called!!
Staff are engaged with the service – e.g. taking blood pressures in store, something different for staff
Numbers are significantly increased – majority if not all revenue is profit
Lots of valuable interventions can be made increasing the health and wellbeing of our local population
Improved GP surgery relationships
Increases patient confidence in future services

15. Top Tips Stay organised with recruitment and intervention dates
Visit the NMS folder on a DAILY basis
Engage with your local surgeries and doctors in regard to specific patients you may be able to help

16. Thanks for your time!