Medicines waste
Check First. Order Second.
Before ordering your repeat prescription, please take a moment to check what medicines you already have at home.
Many people order all the medicines on their repeat prescription every month without checking what they already have. By taking 30 seconds to check first, you can make sure you only order the medicines you need.
Before you order, ask yourself:
✅ Have I checked what medicines I already have at home?
✅ Do I need all of these medicines before my next prescription?
✅ Am I still taking all of these medicines?
✅ Do I need to speak to my pharmacist or GP practice about any changes?
If you don’t need a medicine this month, you can request it again when you need it.
What we can do
The good news is there is a lot we can do to tackle medicines waste, and everyone can play a part. Thank you for helping your community to reduce medicine waste.
Only order what you need
Check what medicines you have at home before you order your repeat prescriptions. If you have enough, only request the medicines you need this time. You will still be able to order others again in future
Speak to your pharmacy team if you have any questions about how to change your prescription request
Check your prescription bag before leaving the pharmacy to make sure that you only have what you need and that there’s nothing extra in there. If you return an item before you leave the pharmacy, the medicines can be reused.
The video above was created by the NHS in Fife and explains why reducing medicine waste is so important.
Your medicines and hospitals
Always keep a list of your medicines, the doses, and how you take them in your wallet or purse, and if you know you’re going into hospital take all your medicines with you.
These actions mean that staff have a complete record of what you’re taking, that the hospital won’t need to dispense more of the same medication and can speed up your care.
When it’s time to go home take the right medicines with you. Before you leave ask if any changes have been made to your medicines and take home everything that’s still suitable.
Reduce waste with a conversation
Let your pharmacy team know if you’ve stopped taking any of your medicines or if they’re no longer right for you.
This is not a problem, and in fact, means your team will be able to improve your healthcare.
Out of date medicines can be returned to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
Order your repeat prescriptions in the NHS App
You can order your repeat prescriptions at any time in the NHS App, without joining a telephone queue or waiting until your GP surgery opens.
The NHS App will show you the medicines you can request, and you simply just need to click on the items you need.
You can also easily choose where your prescriptions are sent by changing your nominated pharmacy to wherever suits you.
Download the NHS App or find the same service on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app