News and media releases from the Surrey Heartlands area
If you have some news to share, would like to see us feature a patient story or simply have a question, then feel free to get in touch with us.
Every prescription counts and Surrey pharmacists are calling for action on medicines waste
Pharmacists across Surrey are warning about the growing problem of medicines waste after one patient returned unused medicines worth more than £5,000.
They are urging everyone to check their cupboards before reordering and only order what they need. Each small action helps protect NHS funds, prevent shortages, and reduce environmental harm.
Each year, Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB) spends around £176 million on medicines, with around 16 million prescriptions issued.
An estimated 1.2 million repeat prescription items go unused annually, costing the NHS around £12 million. Many unused medicines end up in landfill or waterways, harming wildlife.
Sharn Dev, Community Pharmacy PCN Lead in Surrey, said:
As pharmacists, we see firsthand how much unused medicine goes to waste every day.
In recent months, our pharmacies have seen a significant increase in the volume of medicines returned by patients.
The scale of waste has grown so large that we now require a weekly collection of our medicines waste bin.
On one occasion, the returned items included high value medicines such as inhalers and insulin pens, and the estimated cost of these unused products exceeded £5,000.
This not only highlights the financial impact on the NHS, but also the environmental consequences of disposing of large quantities of unused medicines.
It is crucial to raise awareness of this increasing concerning issue so patients understand the importance of only ordering what you need, storing medicines properly, and returning unwanted items to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
By checking supplies before reordering and talking to your pharmacist about what you actually use, you help protect NHS funds and ensure medicines are available for those who truly need them.
Let’s work together to reduce waste, save money, and make our healthcare system more sustainable.
Pharmacists remind patients there is no need to stockpile, medicines can be reordered through pharmacies, GP practices, or the NHS App.
Linda Honey, Director of Pharmacy for Surrey Heartlands, said:
This is a clear reminder that every prescription matters.
When people only order what they truly need, it not only saves money but also helps ensure medicines are available for everyone who depends on them.
Small actions really do make a big difference.
Residents are encouraged to check supplies, only order what’s needed for the next few weeks, store medicines safely, and return unwanted items to a pharmacy.
Find out more about medicines waste
You can check out our digital campaign by searching #OnlyOrderWhatYouNeed on social media.