Medicines are the most frequent therapeutic healthcare intervention in the NHS.

The aim is to optimise the use of medicines by promoting cost effective and evidence based clinical practice and effective risk management to ensure that patients get the right choice of medicine at the right time. We work to ensure our population get the most from their medicines, take medicines correctly, avoid taking unnecessary medicines, improve medicines safety, and reduce medicines wastage.

Effective medicines optimisation contributes towards:​

  • Improved health of individuals and the population as a whole​
  • Improved patient care and satisfaction​
  • Reducing medication-related harm​
  • Making best use of available resources​
  • Making better use of professional skills​
  • Delivering high quality, effective, safe healthcare​

Latest news

New NHS campaign to reduce medicine waste in London

NHS South East London ICB has teamed up with the other NHS integrated care boards across the capital to launch a new campaign to help people only order the medicines they need and reduce waste. Nationally, it is estimated unused medicines cost the NHS £300 million each year – money that could be used to […]

02 Mar 2026
Showcasing outstanding local nursing: Meet award-winning nurse Teresa O’Nwere-Tan

Teresa O’Nwere‑Tan is an advanced nurse practitioner based in Southwark, south east London. She focuses on helping people stay well through early health checks and preventative care, which led to her winning the Nursing Times Nurse of the Year award last year. One of the things that sets Teresa apart is her proactive approach to healthcare […]

26 Feb 2026
South East and South West London ICBs joint Chair and Chief Executive appointments

South East London ICB and South West London ICB are pleased to announce the appointment, by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, of Sir Richard Douglas as the joint Chair for the two separate organisations. And, following the conclusion of our recruitment process, Andrew Bland has been appointed as the single, joint […]

16 Feb 2026
South East London Integrated Care System

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