Why is this important?
Stay Well
Unused medicines expire and might not work as intended, meaning your health might suffer. Stockpiling medicines worsens drug shortages.
Stay Safe
Stockpiles of medicines kept at home can be dangerous for children and pets. Medicines are only prescribed for you and for safety’s sake should not be shared with anyone else.
Stay 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, seas and soil. Medicines account for around 20% of carbon emissions within the NHS in England. 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.
Stay Organised
Taking all of your prescription medicines with you if you are going into hospital means the hospital staff won’t have to order duplicate prescriptions. This helps to avoid wasted medicines and money, and can speed up your care.
