More than £15.2 million worth of medicine is wasted every year in Lincolnshire. This is equivalent to funding 417 Band 5 nurses or 339 Band 6 nurses, according to NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB).
The waste of approximately 2.1 million medicine items annually not only impacts NHS budgets but also affects patient safety, drug supply chains, staff time, and the environment. In response, NHS Lincolnshire ICB has launched a new campaign: ‘Medicines Waste’.
How medicine waste happens
Many patients feel obliged to order everything listed on their repeat prescription, even when they do not need certain medicines. This leads to unnecessary stockpiling and avoidable waste.
Dr Sunil Hindocha, GP and Medical Director at NHS Lincolnshire ICB, acknowledges that the NHS must improve prescription management to ensure the right amount of medicine is supplied. However, he emphasises that patients also play a vital role in reducing waste by only ordering what they need.
Why reducing medicine waste matters
Reducing unnecessary medicine orders benefits everyone. The NHS faces growing financial pressures, and medicine waste diverts funds away from essential healthcare services. Controlling medicine waste will help ensure resources are used effectively while also reducing the environmental impact of medicine disposal.
The ‘Medicines Waste’ campaign
The campaign primarily targets Lincolnshire residents aged 65 and over, as this group has the highest number of repeat prescriptions. However, the message applies to everyone who receives regular prescription medicines.
Patients are not being asked to stop their repeat prescriptions, but they are encouraged to check whether they genuinely need more medication before reordering.
What happens to unused medicines?
Many people believe they can return unused medicines to their GP or pharmacy for redistribution. However, once a medicine has been dispensed, it cannot be reissued to another patient. Instead, it must be destroyed, which further adds to waste.
What can patients do?
Dr Hindocha urges patients to check their supplies before reordering and only request what is necessary. If anyone is unsure about their prescription needs, they can speak to their pharmacy team or GP, who can offer guidance on managing medication orders effectively.
A simple change can make a big difference
By making small adjustments, such as only ordering required medicines, patients can help reduce waste, ease pressure on NHS resources, and support a more sustainable healthcare system.
For more advice, speak to your GP or local pharmacy team. Together, we can tackle medicine waste and ensure essential resources are used where they are needed most.