Helping you deliver patient-centred care with the latest news and essential information about key products and developments in store.
NMS updates
We speak to Khuram Ahmad, Pharmacy Services Manager, about the New Medicine Service (NMS) and the key changes that were put in place from September. This is an essential service that your pharmacy team provides to support patients in their adherence to newly prescribed medicines. Click below to read our full interview, NMS updates, to find out more about the service and what this new update will mean for you and your pharmacy team.
Boots diabetes support
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that can be managed through various techniques. With World Diabetes Day on 14 November, we take a look at how pharmacy teams can offer support to customers living with diabetes. Click on Boots diabetes support below to learn how you can help.
Click the boxes below for product updates and news.
Salonpas Pain Relief Patch (GSL)
Methyl salicylate; levomenthol
Item code: 78-73-360
An anti-inflammatory patch for pain relief of muscle and joints associated with strains, sprains, backache and bruises.
Salonpas Pain Relief Patch:
- Delivers the active ingredients directly to the site of pain with less systemic exposure
- Works for 8 to 12 hours
- Stretchable and flexible
- Can be used on and around joints
- Easy to apply
- No mess after application.
This product is suitable for adults aged 18 years and over. For usage and directions, read the product pack and leaflet. Customers should be advised to use no more than two plasters in 24 hours. The patches should not be used for more than three days in a row.
See below for product information.
Boots Skin Clear Overnight
Redness & Blemish Balm
Item code: 25-84-379
An overnight balm containing niacinamide and marine algae to help reduce the appearance of blemishes and eliminate redness.
Boots Skin Clear Overnight Redness & Blemish Balm:
- Helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes and redness
- No need to wash off
- Not tested on animals.
Directions for use: Apply at night after cleansing the skin. No need to rinse off once applied. Avoid contact with eyes; rinse well with water if the product does get into the eyes.
Salonpas Pain Relief Patch contains Methyl Salicylate; Levomenthol. Indications: For the symptomatic relief of pain of muscles and joints associated with strains and sprains. Legal category: GSL. Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications and method of use can be found at https://mhraproductsprod.blob.core.windows.net/docs-20200204/3fb5807bbe852cb8f876082cf692e17676d812bb Marketing authorisation number: PL 23168/0001. Further information is available from Licence Holder: Hisamitsu UK Limited, 5 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1LG, UK. Last revised: February 2020.
BOOTS DIABETES SUPPORT
World Diabetes Day is approaching on the 14 November, so now is the time to ensure you and your pharmacy team are aware of the support we can offer to people living with diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious lifelong condition that affects 4.9 million people in the UK.1 Pharmacy teams can offer advice to those with a recent or long-term diagnosis, and to people at high risk of developing the condition.
Counter support
A great way to offer your support is by advising patients on various management techniques. You can encourage patients with diabetes to have yearly checks and tests, such as foot checks by a podiatrist and eye tests, that help to identify any other health risks that may result from their condition.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including obesity, age, family history and ethnicity. Through discussions with patients, you can advise them on ways to prevent or delay the development of this condition.
New Medicine Service (NMS)
For those recently diagnosed with diabetes, the NMS provides an opportunity for them to discuss their newly prescribed medication with a pharmacist and to ask any questions they may have. Patients with type 2 diabetes can develop various long-term conditions, such as hypertension, that require other medications. The NMS enables these patients to find out relevant information regarding their new prescriptions, so make sure you take the opportunity to highlight the service to patients who may not be aware of it. All eligible medicines are available on Columbus.
Supporting patients with their prescriptions
Alongside counter support and the NMS, there are other ways your pharmacy team can help patients with their prescriptions. These include:
- Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) - this is available in England and nominated pharmacies in other countries
- Text Message Service
- Prescription Delivery Service.
You can discuss the benefits of these options with patients and they can find out more about them on Boots.com.
Boots Diabetes Hub
In addition, there is a dedicated online diabetes hub for patients to find out more about the condition. You can direct customers to Boots.com/diabetes-hub for more information. This hub also has an online risk assessment to identify patients at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Alternatively, you can encourage patients to watch our dedicated diabetes video at YouTube.com/BootsOfficialUK to find out more.
With the support of your team, Boots can provide a fantastic service for patients living with diabetes.
Reference: 1. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/statistics
Last accessed October 2021
HYPERTENSION CASE-FINDING SERVICE
The new Hypertension case-finding service aims to increase detection of high blood pressure.
Earlier this year, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) announced the introduction of a new Advanced Service to help identify undiagnosed patients with hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure. This announcement follows the successful pilot in 2020 and commenced on 1 October 2021.
Hypertension is one of the biggest risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a condition that can lead to premature death and disability. It is estimated around 5.5 million people have undiagnosed hypertension across the country, so are at a higher risk of developing CVD.1 The introduction and promotion of this service by your pharmacy team will help increase detection of hypertension.
Service overview
The service aims to identify people aged 40 years and over with high blood pressure, confirm an appropriate diagnosis and undertake necessary blood pressure checks to ensure customers are staying healthy. Initially, the service will be pharmacist led and will be through two key stages: a 'clinic check' and 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).
Services Key Stages
- Clinic Check: Identifying people at risk of hypertension and offering them blood pressure measurement
- Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM): Where required, the patient will then be offered 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
With the patient's consent, the test results will be shared with their GP to inform a diagnosis.
Will my store be offering the service?
There will be a phased rollout of the service over the coming months. If you believe this service would benefit customers at your store, please do let your Area Manager know.
To find out more about this service, visit the Hypertension case-finding service pages on BootsLive.
Reference: 1. https://psnc.org.uk/services-commissioning/advanced-services/hypertension-case-finding-service/
Last accessed October 2021
INTERVIEW - KHURAM AHMAD
NMS updates
Khuram Ahmad, Pharmacy Services Manager, discusses the New Medicine Service (NMS) and the changes that will help improve patients' adherence to newly prescribed medicines.
What is the NMS and how does it work?
The NMS is a nationally commissioned NHS Advanced Service in England. It is a simple service to deliver that helps patients receive the best from their new medicine. The service has three distinctive stages: engagement, intervention and follow up, which help improve adherence over a 28-day period.
Who benefits from the NMS and why is the service crucial for these people?
Non-adherence is often a hidden problem, which is undisclosed by patients and unrecognised by prescribers. Patients tend to make decisions about new medicines they are prescribed and whether they will take them as soon as they are prescribed them. Therefore, it is vitally important that we have engaging conversations with each of our patients about their new medicines.
What is changing about the NMS?
The key change to the NMS is the addition of 13 new conditions that are now covered by the service, including heart failure, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. This means that there are now over 800 eligible medicines available through the service.
Also, a 'catch-up' NMS has been introduced for patients who were prescribed new, eligible medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic. There will also be assistance for patients that cannot provide consent through support to parents or caregivers.
Remember, all changes were effective from 1 September 2021. The service updates reflect the value and importance that pharmacy teams can play in supporting patients with improving their adherence to newly prescribed medication.
The service updates reflect the value and importance that pharmacy teams can play in supporting patients
What is required of pharmacy teams to prepare for the extension?
The way the service is carried out has not changed, which is great news, but pharmacists and pharmacy teams must ensure they have read and understood the new updated service specification for NMS and are aware of the new targeted conditions eligible for NMS support. There is also a new, updated SOP that should be adopted if teams have not done so already.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
More information about the NMS is available on BootsLive, including a guidance document on catch-up NMS.
Thank you for everything you do in supporting your patients day in, day out, from helping them get the best from their medicines, to the advice and support you can offer through our other available services.