NHS WASTES £480M YEARLY ON UNUSED MEDICINES, PHARMACY GROUP FINDS

The National Pharmacy Association estimated that 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines were disposed of in England during 2024-25, equivalent to the volume of 75 Olympic-size swimming pools. The organisation analysed data from regional health bodies and concluded the waste costs the NHS at least £480m annually. Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, stated the sum represents money that could be invested in better patient services and called the problem "growing".

The NPA, which represents 6,000 independent community pharmacies across the UK, attributed waste partly to patients ordering medicines they do not use. Once a medicine leaves a pharmacy, even if unopened and unused, it must be disposed of under current regulations. The organisation called for patients with multiple repeat prescriptions to receive more frequent reviews to identify medicines no longer needed, and urged the public not to over-order. An NHS England spokesperson confirmed the health service had taken action to help patients manage prescriptions through the NHS app, including repeat prescription ordering.

Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy, a senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, identified additional harms beyond financial cost. She stated that leftover antibiotics kept at home are often taken later without medical advice, fuelling antimicrobial resistance, which she described as "one of the biggest threats to modern medicine". Regular medication reviews and ordering only what is needed would protect patients, the NHS and the environment, she said.