Only order what you need

Did you know that approximately one in every ten medicines handed out are not needed or wanted? Around £7.5 million is wasted in Hertfordshire and west Essex each year on unused medicines. This included inhalers, pain medication and creams. By only ordering what we need we can make sure NHS resources go where they are most needed. We need your help to achieve this.

Why you should only order what you need

To stay well

Unused medicines go out of date and might not work as intended, meaning your care might be compromised

Stockpiling medicines worsens drug shortages

To stay safe

Stockpiles of medicines kept at home can be dangerous for children and pets

Medicines are only prescribed for you, and it is not safe to share prescribed medicines with anyone else

To keep green

When you dispose of medicines properly, by handing them in to your pharmacy, you are helping to make sure that waste medicines do not pollute our rivers and seas

Only ordering what you need means that you are helping the environment because once medicines have left the pharmacy, they cannot be recycled or used by anyone else

Do

Ask for a review of your medicines if you haven’t had one for a while
If you’ve stopped taking any medications or have concerns about your current regimen, let your doctor or pharmacist know.
Before reordering, check what medications you already have at home to avoid accumulating excess stock.
Only tick the boxes for the medications you truly require on your repeat prescription form.
If you are admitted to a hospital, remember to take all your medications with you in a clearly marked bag.
Store medications securely, out of reach of children.
Unused or expired medications should always be returned to your pharmacy for safe disposal, according to the NHS.

Do not

Avoid putting medications in the bin or flushing them down the toilet, as this can be harmful to the environment.
Share medicines: Prescribed medications are for individual use only and should not be shared with others.

Medication reviews

We want you to get the best from your medicines.

Please speak to your local pharmacist if you need advice on any aspect of your medication.

To get the most benefit from your medication, you should take it in exactly the way that it has been prescribed.

If you stop taking your medication – or if you stop taking it in the way it was prescribed – please make an appointment to talk to a healthcare professional about this. They will help you to make an informed choice about your medication and may be able to prescribe an alternative. Also tell them if you’ve stopped following their prescription – it’s much better that they know.

You should be invited for medication reviews with your practice (XXX??) so it is important to take this up. If you feel you haven’t had one for a long time or have concerns then contact your practice.