Help us to help safeguard our NHS resources
A parliamentary accounts committee has estimated something like £100 million a year is wasted on medicines that never get used. In order to help reduce ongoing wastage, we have changed the length of repeat prescriptions we issue to TWO MONTHS supply at a time only.
Please be reassured that the availability of medication post Brexit is being closely monitored nationally. You are kindly asked not to stockpile your medication as this will create unnecessary stock shortages. Just order your usual quantities as normal. Thank you.
Please Remember:
- Unused medicines cannot be recycled. Even if you never open them, once medicines have left the pharmacy or dispensary they cannot be recycled or used by anyone else.
- Unused medicines are a safety risk. Return out of date or unused medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal. If your medicines change, return your old medicines to the pharmacy to avoid mixing them up with your new ones. Don’t stock pile medication, it is a safety risk for children and others who might take them. Store medicines in an appropriate place out of reach of children
- How can you help? Only order what you need. Let your doctor or pharmacist know if you’ve stopped taking any of your medications. Check what medicines you still have at home before re-ordering. Think before ticking all of the boxes on your repeat prescription form and only tick those you really need. If you don’t need the medicine don’t order it! If you need the medicine in the future you can still request it.