NHS urges patients in Suffolk not to stockpile medicines
The health service estimates £90 million worth of unused prescription medicines are being stored in homes
People in Suffolk are being urged not to stockpile or overorder medication.
It's as new stats show that, across the UK, wasted medicine costs the NHS around £300 million pounds every year, as medicines go out of date or are forgotten about.
Of that £300 million, the NHS estimates £110 million worth of medicine is returned to pharmacies, while a further £90 million worth of unused prescription medicines are being stored in homes.
Tania Farrow is a pharmacist in Suffolk, working for the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board: "We really want to make an impact in reducing the amount of unused medicines we waste.
"It is an issue where patients, GPs, pharmacists and hospitals can all work together to make a difference."
Tania explained why we shouldn't stockpile medicine: “We know some patients do like to have a spare stock of medicines ‘just in case’ but we recommend only having a maximum of one months’ supply at home.
"This means that if any medicines are changed or stopped, the amount wasted will be reduced.
"Unwanted dispensed medicines returned to the pharmacy cannot be reused for other patients even if they are unopened, due to safety issues."
She has this advice for patients wanting to play their part in reducing waste: “We are asking patients to check their medicines stocks before ordering, ordering only those medicines that are needed and avoiding stockpiling, which in turn helps to manage medicines shortages.
“If anyone is unsure about their medicines they should talk to their pharmacist or GP practice. If you do have any unwanted medicines that you are no longer taking, they should be returned to your local community pharmacy for safe disposal."