Medicine worth £1m is wasted by patients in Shropshire

Medicine worth at least £1million is wasted each year in Shropshire prompting NHS chiefs to warn county residents that treatments should not be taken for granted.

The waste, by patients receiving medicines they don’t actually use, or use only occasionally, which NHS bosses say diverts cash from other vital services, has led a surgery to launch an awareness drive this week.

A study commissioned by the Department of Health shows medicines wasted across the UK costs the NHS at least £300m million a year in England.

The figures show £1million of medicines handed out at pharmacies in Shropshire, including drugs, medical creams and sprays, are wasted by patients.

Portcullis Surgery in Ludlow will next week hold an awareness drive as part of a campaign to try and stop the costly trend.

Practice manager, Anne Baird, said: “We will be explaining to patients how important it is to use medication they pick up from the pharmacy.

“Symptoms can get worse if left untreated. The reasons why patients don’t take all their medication can vary and evidence is that half of all medication returned had not been opened.

“This means that patients are ordering and receiving medication that they don’t start to use.

“As well as spreading the message through the surgery, our GP practice patient participation group will also be out at Ludlow’s Tesco handing out leaflets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Tracy Savage, Shropshire County PCT’s head of medicines management, said people needed to think carefully about medication they are prescribed and if they need it.

She said: “The waste medicine campaign is not only about highlighting the money that can be saved, it is also about making sure that people have the right medicines when they need them.”