PATIENTS are being encouraged to ‘Only Order What You Need’ to prevent medicine waste.

The NHS spends an estimated £300 million on unused medicines each year, and the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board is asking for help to reduce this.

Medicines waste happens when too much medication is order that is not needed, medicine is stockpiled at home or prescriptions are not checked before leaving the pharmacy.

The ICB says: “We want to remind people how important it is to check what medicines they have at home before placing their repeat prescription order.

“With the support of our people and communities, we can reduce medicine waste, prevent supply pressures, and ensure the right medication is available for those who need it most.

People are advised to:

• Plan ahead – Check their medicines before ordering repeat prescriptions
• Only order what they need – even if it’s on their repeat list
• Speak to their pharmacy team if they have questions or need support.

Patients are warned that:

• Unused medicines also expire and might not work as they should.
• Keeping big stocks of medicines at home can make drug shortages worse.
• Big stocks of medicines at home can be a danger to children and pets.
• Medicines are only prescribed for you and to be safe, should not be shared.

The best way to manage waste medicines is to give them to a pharmacy, as this helps stop drugs polluting rivers and sea.