New NHS campaign to cut medicine waste in Coventry and Warwickshire
Around 1.6 million items are thrown away each year and people are being urged to order only what they need
Coventry and Warwickshire NHS has launched a new campaign aimed at reducing medicine waste, particularly from repeat prescriptions.
Officials estimate that around 1.6 million items of medicine are wasted in the area each year.
The campaign encourages patients to only order what you need and people are being advised to check the medicines they already have at home before ordering repeat prescriptions to avoid unnecessary waste.
According to NHS guidance, skipping a prescription does not prevent patients from ordering other medications in the future.
Reviewing medicines at home can help prevent expired medicines from being used, reduce risks to children and pets, and limit environmental impact. Unused medicines can be returned to a pharmacy to avoid polluting waterways.
Patients are also asked to check their prescription bags before leaving the pharmacy to ensure they only receive what they need. Those who have stopped taking a medication or find it no longer suitable are encouraged to discuss alternatives with a healthcare professional.
The estimated cost of medicine waste in Coventry and Warwickshire is £13.3 million per year, or about £1.1 million per month.
NHS figures suggest this is equivalent to funding thousands of medical procedures, GP appointments, or the emissions from millions of kilograms of carbon dioxide.
Dr Imogen Staveley, local GP and Chief Medical Officer at NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB, said: “Medication plays a vital role in keeping people healthy. However, in Coventry and Warwickshire, it’s estimated that 1.6 million items are prescribed unnecessarily each year.
“Stockpiling medicines can be unsafe. Expired medicines might not work as intended, and keeping large quantities at home could pose risks to children and pets. That’s why we’re encouraging people on repeat prescriptions to only order what they need.”