Approximately 1.4 million medicine items are wasted unnecessarily in Gloucestershire each year. We need your help to reduce this.
Why is this important?
Stay Well
Stockpiling medicines worsens drug shortages
Unused medicines expire and might not work as intended, meaning your care might be compromised
Stay Safe
Stockpiles of medicines kept at home can be dangerous for children and pets
Medicines are only prescribed for you and for safety’s sake should not be shared with anyone else
Stay Green
When you dispose of medicines properly, by handing them in to your pharmacy, you are helping to make sure that waste medicines do not pollute our rivers and seas
Only ordering what you need means that you are helping the environment because once medicines have left the pharmacy, they cannot be recycled or used by anyone else
What we can do
The good news is there is a lot we can do to tackle medicines waste, and everyone can play a part.
Thank you for helping your community to reduce medicine waste.
Only order what you need
Check what medicines you have at home before you order your repeat prescriptions. If you have enough, only request the medicines you need this time. You will still be able to order others again in future
Speak to your pharmacy team if you have any questions about how to change your prescription request
Open your prescription bag
Check your prescription bag before leaving the pharmacy to make sure that you only have what you need and that there’s nothing extra in there. If you return an item before you leave the pharmacy, the medicines can be reused.
Your medicines and hospitals
Always keep a list of your medicines, the doses, and how you take them in your wallet or purse, and if you know you’re going into hospital take all your medicines with you.
These actions mean that staff have a complete record of what you’re taking, that the hospital won’t need to dispense more of the same medication and can speed up your care.
When it’s time to go home take the right medicines with you. Before you leave ask if any changes have been made to your medicines and take home everything that’s still suitable.
Reduce waste with a conversation
Let your pharmacy team know if you’ve stopped taking any of your medicines or if they’re no longer right for you.
This is not a problem, and in fact, means your team will be able to improve your healthcare.
If you have any questions about anything on medicines waste email: glicb.enquiries@nhs.net.
Unused or out of date medicines can be returned to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
