Pharmacy group reports 3,400 tonnes of medicine wasted annually in England

The National Pharmacy Association has published research showing that England throws away 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines every year. That amount would fill 75 swimming pools. The waste costs the NHS at least £480 million annually, and it also causes environmental damage.

The problem happens because patients on repeat prescriptions often collect more medicine than they need. Once a pharmacy has given out medicine, it cannot be reused, even if it is still sealed. It must be thrown away for safety reasons.

The NPA looked at data from health bodies across England to reach these figures. It is now asking for more frequent checks on repeat prescriptions, so that doctors can stop ordering medicines that patients no longer need.