This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Unused medicines costs NHS £300m annually, figures show
Figures from the campaign group Medicine Waste UK have indicated that wasted medicines are costing the NHS up to £300 million per year.
It cited that an estimated £110 million worth of medicine is returned to pharmacies, £90 million worth of unused prescriptions is being stored in homes and £50 million worth of medicines is disposed of by Care Homes.
The data refers mainly to drugs and other medications prescribed by GPs which are not used.
The group has highlighted how people can help if they feel they may be adding to the problems, It advises patients to: let your GP or Pharmacist know if you’ve stopped taking any of your medicines; check what medicines you still have at home before re-ordering; discuss your medication with your GP or Pharmacist on a regular basis; think carefully before ticking all the boxes on your repeat prescription forms and only tick those you really need; and if you don’t need the medicine don’t order it!
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