You and your medicines
Every year in Hampshire we waste almost £3 million worth of medicines because people ask for prescriptions for medicines they don't use.
It’s a cost we can't afford - this same amount of money could buy other essential services, for example, 300 heart operations or 4,200 cataract operations.
Did you know that as soon as the pharmacist gives you your medicines they become your property? Even if you don't open the packet and they're in date and you return them to the pharmacist unopened, we can’t reuse them or even give them away to the developing world. So returned medicines are destroyed.
It's estimated that 80% of the wasted medicines returned to pharmacists are those obtained on repeat prescription.
If you receive repeat prescriptions please follow these simple steps:
- Have your medicines reviewed regularly by your GP/Doctor
- Let your GP know if you've stopped taking any medicines
- Try not to order your repeat prescription too early
- On your repeat prescription cross out those items which you do not need
- When you collect the repeat prescription check that it’s only for the items that you wanted - it can be easily changed
- Don't stockpile medicines, only order what you need
- Take all your prescription medicines with you if you are going into hospital
- Return all unused medicines to your local pharmacy where they can be disposed of safely
It is important that you do not stop taking medicines that your doctor has prescribed however, please check whether you need every item and only order what you need.
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