Wasted or unused medicine is a serious and growing problem within the NHS that you can help tackle.

Medicines that are requested on prescriptions but then not used are sometimes referred to as Medicines Waste. Nationally, for every £25 spent on prescription medication, £1 is wasted.

The NHS pays for every medicine it dispenses, there is no such thing as a free prescription, and if it is not needed by the patient the NHS also pays for the medicines to be disposed of.

By talking and listening to the local community, GPs, pharmacies and other healthcare professionals it’s clear how important it is that we tackle the issue of medicine waste, particularly at a time when locally and nationally the NHS system is facing major challenges to meet the demand for services within available resources.

How can you help?

Reducing medicines waste is important to us, but it is not something we can do alone.

We need your help to work together to stop medicines waste across the area, reduce the spend, and get more from your local NHS.

We want to raise awareness amongst the public and need to get residents in South East London to:

  • check what you already have at home before you order more;
  • tell your doctor if you stop taking your medication;
  • speak to your pharmacist if you are receiving medicines you don’t use.

Why is it important to keep your GP informed?

If your GP prescribes medication to treat a condition, it’s important to take it in exactly the way that it’s been prescribed to receive the most benefit.

If you stop taking your medication – or if you stop taking it in the way your doctor prescribed – please tell your doctor about this. They’ll help you to make an informed choice about your medication and may be able to prescribe an alternative.

Help yourself to keep well

Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you’re 65 or older, or if you have a long-term health condition.

Read more about keeping well this winter

One Bromley Local Care Partnership Board Meeting – 26 September 2024

For practical reasons due to the move to the new Civic Centre site, this meeting will be held online with a recording to be made available to view after the meeting upon request. The agenda and papers for the meeting can be found here. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact us at  bromleyquestions@selondonics.nhs.uk […]

26 September 2024
9.30am to 11.30am
Lewisham LCP Strategic Board meeting 21 November 2024

Join the meeting of the Lewisham LCP Strategic Board to hear about our plans and have the opportunity to ask questions. Please submit questions in advance to lewishamquestions@selondonics.nhs.uk We will endeavour to provide an answer to questions submitted in advance. The agenda and supporting papers for this meeting are available here. Click here to join […]

21 November 2024
2.00 - 4.15pm
Teams meeting
One Bromley Local Care Partnership Board Meeting – 27 March 2025

We are pleased to announce that the One Bromley Local Care Partnership Board meetings will be held in public and people and communities from the borough are welcome to attend. The meeting will be held in the new premises of Bromley Civic Centre, The Council Chamber (Phase 1, Floor 0), Churchill Court, Westmoreland Road, Bromley, […]

27 March 2025
9.30am to 11.30am
Bromley Civic Centre, The Council Chamber (Phase 1, Floor 0), Churchill Court, Westmoreland Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1DP - NEW PREMISES