Help Us Reduce Medicines Waste – Only Order What You Need
Patients across Cheshire and Merseyside are being encouraged to help reduce medicines waste by only ordering the medications they need when requesting repeat prescriptions. This important campaign from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside aims to reduce unnecessary waste, improve medicine availability, and ensure NHS resources are used effectively.
Research shows that unused medicines cost the NHS around £300 million every year, with significant quantities of medication being returned to pharmacies for destruction. Many of these medicines were ordered but never used.
Why does this matter?
Ordering medicines you do not currently need can lead to:
- Unnecessary waste of medicines
- Increased costs to the NHS
- Greater pressure on pharmacy services
- Potential medicine shortages for patients who need them most
By checking what medication you already have at home before placing your repeat prescription request, you can help ensure NHS resources are available where they are needed most.
Simple steps you can take
Before ordering your repeat prescription:
- Check what medicines you have at home.
- Only request the items you need this time.
- Remember that medicines not ordered will remain on your repeat prescription and can be requested in the future when required.
- Keep all medications together in one place so you can easily monitor your supplies.
- Review your medication 7–10 days before your next prescription is due.
Returning unwanted medicines
Unused, expired, or unwanted medicines should never be thrown away or flushed down the toilet. Instead, return them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. Pharmacy teams can also provide advice if you have questions about your prescriptions or medication management.
Thank you for your support
Every prescription item that is ordered appropriately helps reduce waste and supports the NHS in delivering high-quality care for all patients. By taking a few moments to check your medicines before reordering, you can make a real difference.
For more information about the campaign, visit the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside website:
Reducing medicines waste – only order what you need
https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/your-health/helping-you-stay-well/reducing-medicines-waste-only-order-what-you-need