When it comes to prescriptions, please only order what you need 

 

Check what medicines you have at home – those prescribed and any bought over the counter.   

• Check their expiry dates, outdated medicines should not be used as their quality cannot be guaranteed

• Take any unused/expired medicines to a local pharmacy for safe disposal. This includes tablets, capsules, liquid medicines, creams and empty inhalers. Returning these to the community pharmacy to be destroyed is the most environmentally-friendly and safest way to dispose of them 

 

Think before you order your prescription medicines  

• Check what supplies you still have at home.   

• It is recommended you only order repeat prescriptions when you are down to your last 2 weeks supply at home. 

• If you order early e.g. to cover going on holiday – adjust the time you next order taking the supplies you have into account.  

 

Check if your repeat list is up to date 

• Are the quantities you get and dosing instructions different to what you are actually taking?  

• Are there any medicines on your list you are no longer taking? 

• Would you like a medication review to discuss what your medicines are for and if you need to continue taking them? 

 

If yes to any of these speak to your pharmacist or GP practice team and they will be able to discuss your medicines with you including what they are for, how long you may need to take then and any issues you may be having. 

• You should not stop taking medicines without checking with a healthcare professional first. 

 

Order only what you need 

When collecting your prescription medicines from the pharmacy 

• Check your prescription before you leave the pharmacy

• Tell the pharmacy team immediately if there are any medicines you don’t need. 

 

If you collect your repeat medicines direct from the pharmacy – Medicine Care & Review – Serial Prescriptions 

• Are the quantities you get and dosing instructions correct, is it what you are actually taking?  

• Are there any medicines on your list you are no longer taking? 

• Do you want a medication review, to discuss what your medicines are for and if you need to continue taking them? 

• Your pharmacy team should check with you if you need any of your ‘as required’ medicines, and also creams/ointments and any other medicine that you might not need supplied every time you collect your prescription. 

• Let your pharmacy team know if you don’t need something in this collection 

• Check your prescription, before you leave the pharmacy.   

• Tell the pharmacy team immediately if there is any medicines you don’t need. 

Published: 10/07/2024 09:40