Medicine waste
Unused medicines cost the NHS around £300 million* a year. We need your help to reduce this.
It’s important to only order what you need to:
Stay well
- Medicines that are not used may go out of date and not work the way they should. This means they might not help you when you need them.
- Stockpiling medicines (keeping extras you don’t need) can make it harder for other people to get the medicine they need.
Stay safe
- Having extra medicines at home can be dangerous for children and pets if they get into them.
- Medicines should only be used by the person they’re prescribed to, so don’t share them with anyone else as it may not be safe.
Stay green
- When you take old medicines to the pharmacy to for them to dispose of, you help keep our rivers and oceans clean.
- Only order the medicines you really need. This helps the environment because when medicines have left the pharmacy, they can’t be recycled or used by other people.
The good news is that there’s more we can do together to cut down on the waste of medicines, and everyone can help.
Only order what you need
- Before you order more medicines, check what you already have at home. If you have enough, only ask for the medicines you need this time. You can always order more later if you need them.
- If you have any questions about your order for medicines, talk to your pharmacy team.
Open your prescription bag
- Before you leave the pharmacy, check your bag of medication to make sure you have only what you need and nothing extra. If you notice something you don’t need, you can return it straight away, and the medicines can be used again.
Your medicines and hospitals
- Use the NHS App to view your regular medicines or keep a list of them in your wallet or purse. If you’re going into hospital, take all your medicines with you.
- This helps the hospital staff know what medicines you’re already taking and stops them from giving you the same medicine again.
- When going home, double check the medicines you’ve been given to make sure you have what you need. Ask if there are any changes.
Reduce waste with a conversation
- Tell your GP team if you’ve stopped taking any of your medicines or if they’re no longer right for you. If you’re unsure, please contact your practice
- This is okay and helps your healthcare team give you better care.
- Medicines that are not used or out of date can be returned to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
*Source: Evaluation of the Scale, Causes and Costs of Waste Medicines
