Medicine currently being wasted could fill 75 swimming pools a year

Medicine currently being wasted could fill 75 swimming pools a year An association of pharmacists has warned wasted medication could be costing the NHS nearly £500m a year which could be 'invested in better services for patients' The amount of wasted medicines thrown away in England in just one year could fill 75 swimming pools, pharmacists have said. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) revealed that around 3,400 tonnes worth of partially used medicines were shockingly dashed in England, in 2024 to 2025. The association, which analysed data from local health bodies, estimated that these wasted medicines cost the NHS at least a staggering £480 million a year. The chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, Olivier Picard, said: "Wasted medicines cost the NHS significant sums of money every year that could be invested in better services for patients. "More than this, wasting medicines can have environmental and health consequences and we can do much more to tackle this growing problem. "As soon as a medicine leaves a pharmacy, even if it is not used and is unopened, it must be disposed of so it is important patients only get medicines they are sure they will use." The NPA, which represents 6,000 independent community pharmacies in the UK, said some patients "over order" medication, in case they need it, instead of only requesting a repeat prescription when it is needed. The association has now called for patients with several repeat prescriptions to have more reviews so medicines that are no longer needed can be identified. Mr Picard added: "We are urging patients only to request medicines if they really need them when ordering repeat prescriptions. As well as this, patients who are prescribed multiple medicines should have these more regularly reviewed to ensure they are being fully utilised. "If a patient has any concerns about their medicines, they should speak to their pharmacist who can help them get the most out of their medicines." Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy, senior lecturer in postgraduate medicine at the University of Hertfordshire commenting on the NPA's warning, said: "Medicines waste isn't only a financial and environmental problem – it's a patient safety and resistance problem. "Leftover antibiotics kept at home are often taken later without medical advice, which fuels antimicrobial resistance, one of the biggest threats to modern medicine. Regular medication reviews and only ordering what is needed protects patients, the NHS and the environment." A spokesperson for NHS England said: "The NHS has taken action to ensure people can better manage their prescriptions on their mobile phones through the NHS app including repeat prescriptions. "We know there is more to do which is why several local NHS services are running campaigns to reduce medicines waste, alongside wider efforts to optimise medicines use that have also seen the total number of dependency forming medications prescribed fall over the last decade." This comes after pharmacists warned medicine shortages are causing a serious risk to patient safety. Several common drugs, including painkillers, antibiotics and blood pressure medication are all in short supply. [Image text:] 10000 10000