Help us to reduce medicine waste!

Repeat Prescriptions

Around 12 million repeat prescriptions are issued in Kent and Medway every year.

It is estimated that more than 2 million repeat prescription items are wasted. 

Stockpiling medicine, asking for more than you need on a prescription, or routinely picking up repeat prescriptions without checking, costs the NHS money and deprives others from using those medicines.

Out of Date Medication

Some medication may also have reached the use by date and might not work as intended, meaning your care could be compromised. 

Kate Langford, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Kent and Medway, said: “There are a number of reasons why medicine goes unused, but the best thing to do is to check what you have at home before ordering more medication. 

“It’s important you understand why your medicines have been prescribed as they may not always be needed if your condition changes. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you are unsure. 

“Once a prescription is collected from a pharmacy, it cannot be returned. Please check you need the medication first, if you don’t it can be returned it for someone else to use."

If you have any unused or out of date medicine, please take it to your pharmacy so they can dispose of it safely.

Find more information on the Stop Think Choose website.

Published: Nov 28, 2024