NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Lincolnshire County Council are urging residents to take simple but vital steps to keep their families safe by storing and disposing of medicines responsibly.
Every year, thousands of people — both adults and children — are harmed or killed by taking medication that wasn’t prescribed to them. Whether through curiosity, confusion, or misuse, taking someone else’s medicine can have devastating consequences.
Prescription medications are carefully tailored to an individual’s needs, and what works for one person could be dangerous — even fatal — for another. Risks include severe allergic reactions, dangerous drug interactions, overdose, organ failure, and death.
This growing issue affects people of all ages. While children may accidentally ingest medication, adults are increasingly at risk from the misuse of drugs prescribed for others, particularly painkillers, sleeping tablets, and anxiety medication.
Keeping medicines safe at home
To help prevent accidents and misuse, NHS Lincolnshire ICB and Lincolnshire County Council are sharing key safety tips:
- Store all medications out of reach and sight — ideally in a locked cabinet or box.
- Never leave tablets or medicines loose in handbags, drawers, or on counters.
- Keep medicines in their original packaging with clear labels and instructions.
- Dispose of unused or expired medication safely — most pharmacies offer free disposal services.
- Talk openly with family members, including teenagers and elderly relatives, about the dangers of taking medication that isn’t theirs.
What to do in an emergency
If someone has taken medication not prescribed to them:
- Stay calm but act quickly.
- Call 999 immediately if the person is unconscious, struggling to breathe, or behaving erratically.
- If they are conscious and stable, contact NHS 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk for urgent advice.
- Provide as much information as possible about the medication and amount taken.
Local pharmacies can help
Pharmacists across Lincolnshire can provide free advice on safe storage, disposal, and proper use of medicines.
Dr Sunil Hindocha, Medical Director at NHS Lincolnshire ICB, said:
“We want everyone in Lincolnshire to understand that medications are prescribed for specific people, for specific reasons. Taking someone else’s medicine — or giving your own to another person — can have serious, even life-threatening, consequences. Simple actions like locking away medicines and returning unused tablets to your pharmacy can save lives.”
Derek Ward, Director of Public Health at Lincolnshire County Council, added:
“Medication safety starts at home. By storing medicines securely and talking openly with family members about the risks, we can prevent accidental poisonings and misuse. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in keeping our loved ones safe.”
Stay Safe. Stay Informed. Share the Message.
If it’s not prescribed for you, don’t take it — ever.
For more information on medication safety, visit lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/medication-safety