In News

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Almost 3,400 tonnes of partially used medicines – or enough to fill 75 swimming pools – were disposed of in England in 2025, the National Pharmacy Association has estimated.

The NPA has said Freedom of Information requests to Integrated Care Boards have revealed the scale of medicines wastage, which was estimated to cost the NHS in England more than £480m last year.

The trade body called for medicine reviews to be carried out more regularly with patients on several repeat prescriptions to identify medicines that may no longer be needed.

The NPA also called on patients not to over-order medicines and only order repeat prescriptions when they are needed rather than make ‘just in case’ orders, emphasising the environmental impact of medicines waste disposal as well as the cost to the health service.

The organisation said its members have reported patients frequently returning uncompleted courses of medicine or unopened boxes, describing this as “particularly common for patients on complex medicine regimes to treat their conditions”.

NPA chair Olivier Picard said: “Wasted medicines cost the NHS significant sums of money every year that could be invested in better services for patients.

“More than this, wasting medicines can have environmental and health consequences and we can do much more to tackle this growing problem.

“As soon as a medicine leaves a pharmacy, even if it is not used and is unopened, it must be disposed of so it is important patients only get medicines they are sure they will use.

“We are urging patients only to request medicines if they really need them when ordering repeat prescriptions.

“As well as this, patients who are prescribed multiple medicines should have these more regularly reviewed to ensure they are being fully utilised.

“If a patient has any concerns about their medicines, they should speak to their pharmacist who can help them get the most out of their medicines."