Unused Medicines Explained

 

What are unused medicines?

Unused medicines are medicines that are not going to be used in the future, and need to be safely destroyed.   

All unused medicines are waste – wasted resources and environmental waste. 

Unused medicines cost the NHS money in lots of different ways: 

  • the cost of the medicines 

but also 

  • the cost of the consultation with a healthcare professional e.g. doctor, nurse, pharmacist

  • the cost of preparing the prescription – administration time, GP and pharmacist time

  • and the cost to collect, transport, incinerate/safely dispose of medicines no longer going to be used

Our first priority is to reduce the amount of unused medicines.

This will reduce the cost to the NHS, allowing resources to be spent in better ways. 

                                        

Why are medicines unused? 

Medicines can be unused for a number of reasons – some of these reasons may be avoidable and others unavoidable. 

Up to 50% of medicines prescribed may not be taken in the way that was intended. 

Unused medicines might occur when: 

  • medicines are not taken as prescribed. For example, taken at different times or in different doses from those intended 

  • medicines are stopped, due to adverse side effects or personal beliefs 

  • medicines are not taken due to forgetfulness 

  • a change in treatment means some medicines are no longer required 

  • all items from repeat prescriptions are requested, even if no longer taking some, causing a stock pile of medicines that will be unused 

  • medicines are ordered or supplied more frequently than required e.g. those taken on an ‘as required’ basis or inhalers/creams. This may include Medicine Care and Review Serial Prescription supplies. 

  • quantities on prescriptions don’t match with dose being taken and expected length of supply causing excess supplies 

  • medicines have reached their expiry date 

 

 

Every year over 50 tonnes of unused medicines are incinerated in Grampian 

This figure is from medicines returned to pharmacies to be safely destroyed.  The actual amount of unused medicines will be higher as we know some are dangerously disposed of in household rubbish or flushed down the toilet  

Published: 16/07/2024 12:43