Wasted medicine costs £1m a year

Health chiefs have now launched an appeal to ask patients to help them tackle the expensive problem.

NHS Bury, the primary care trust (PCT) which oversees local services, launched its “care about the cost campaign” in November, to save money.

The health trust is facing huge financial problems and is spending more than £1 million a month above its £25.8 million monthly budget.

Unnecessary visits to accident and emergency have already been targeted — which cost around £1 million a year — but bosses are now cracking down on wasted medicines.

Once prescription medicines have been dispensed from a pharmacy they cannot be recycled, even if unopened.

Susan Storey, from the medicines management team, said: “We are asking patients only to request the medicines they need on repeat prescriptions.

“It’s important that patients talk to their GP or pharmacist if they have stopped taking any of their medicines and discuss their medication requirements regularly.

“Some patients let their pharmacy request their prescription from their doctor. It’s really important to ensure there is a discussion with the pharmacy about which items are needed. Many patients have stocks of medicines that are out of date, are no longer used or the patient has decided to stop taking.”

The PCT says there have been examples where individuals have had more than £1,000 worth of medicines that have had to be destroyed. Sharon Fletcher, pharmacist manager for Cohen’s Pharmacy in Tottington, added: “Our pharmacy is not unique in the amount of wasted medicines that are brought in by local people every single week, it really is such a waste and there is nothing we can do except arrange for them to be destroyed safely.

“Patients can do their bit, the simplest way to do this is to only order what you need. If any patients do have medicines that they no longer need, then drop them off at your local pharmacy where arrangements can be made to dispose of them safely.”