Are Your Medicines Stacking Up?
Every year, about £20 million worth of medicines go unused in the North East and North Cumbria. This includes items like inhalers, pain relief tablets, and creams.
That’s a huge amount of money. It could fund 535 more nurses, 1,574 knee replacements or an extra 476,190 GP appointments every year.
By working together, we can stop this waste.
Why Does Medicine Waste Happen?
Sometimes, people order medicines they don’t need. This leads to:
- Wasted money: Unused medicines go out of date and are thrown away.
- Supply issues: If people stockpile medicines, it can cause shortages for others.
- Health risks: Having too many medicines at home can be confusing, especially if prescriptions change.
How You Can Help
It’s easy to reduce waste and help the NHS. Just follow these simple steps:
- Order Only What You Need
- Check your cupboards before reordering. Don’t order something if you already have enough.
- Return Extras
- When you collect your prescription, check that everything is correct. If you don’t need something, let the pharmacist know before leaving. They can reuse it.
- Stick to a Routine
- Order your medicines only when you’re running low. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to help you stay on track.
Why It Matters
By following these steps, you can:
- Help the NHS save money and resources.
- Make sure you get the right medicines when you need them.
- Keep yourself safe by avoiding confusion caused by having too many medicines at home.
Let’s all do our part to make a difference. To learn more, visit reducemedicinewaste.co.uk.
If you have questions about your medicines, your GP or pharmacist is always here to help.
Together, we can save money, reduce waste, and keep everyone healthier!