Don’t order more medicines than you need – that’s the message from NHS Suffolk as it seeks to remind patients not to waste medicines.
Wasted medication costs NHS Suffolk more than £4 million each year and nationally it is estimated that this figure may be more than £90 million.
Richard Hodgson, NHS Suffolk senior pharmacist, said: “It’s important people get medication if they need it. We have a large number of medications that are wasted or have to be returned and destroyed. Patients can help by only asking for the medicines they need and are running out of when they order a repeat prescription.
“We know patients stock pile their medicines at home so it’s important they go through their cupboards and check whether they really need to re-order medicines on a repeat prescription. And if you don’t need the medicine now – there is no need to order it as you can easily order it later.
“As well as thinking about what medicines are really needed, it’s also important to get the repeat prescription at the most appropriate place – up to 30% of patients at minor injuries units can be there for a repeat prescription, causing delays in treating patients who really need help.”
Dr Andrew Hassan, a local GP and NHS Suffolk medical director, said: “It’s important to discuss your medication with your GP or pharmacist on a regular basis. This will ensure that your medicines are still needed and remain the best option for you – it will also mean that medicines are not being wasted and unnecessarily prescribed.”
Remember:
– Unused medicines cannot be recycled.
– Only order what you need.
– Check what medicines you still have at home before re-ordering.
– Think carefully before ticking all the boxes on your repeat prescription forms and only tick those you really need.
– If you don’t need the medicine now – don’t order any! If you need the medicine in the future you can still request it.
– If you need to go into hospital, please take all your prescription medicines with you.
– If you have any problems taking your medicines, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
For more information about NHS Suffolk visit www.suffolk.nhs.uk
