People in Kent and Medway are being asked to check their prescription medication and only order what they need to help reduce waste and save money.
Around 12million repeat prescriptions are issued in Kent and Medway every year. It is estimated that more than 2million repeat prescription items are wasted.
Stockpiling medicine, asking for more than you need on a prescription, or routinely picking up repeat prescriptions without checking, costs the NHS money and deprives others from using those medicines.
Some medication may also have reached the use by date and might not work as intended, meaning your care could be compromised.
Kate Langford, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Kent and Medway, said: “There are a number of reasons why medicine goes unused, but the best thing to do is to check what you have at home before ordering more medication.
“It’s important you understand why your medicines have been prescribed as they may not always be needed if your condition changes. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you are unsure.
“Please check what medicines you need before ordering. Medicines returned to the pharmacy cannot be reused and will have to be disposed of."
If you have any unused or out of date medicine, please take it to your pharmacy so they can dispose of it safely.
Find more information at stopthinkchoose.co.uk/pharmacy
