Only order what you need

Thank you! 

Last year, you helped us prevent 65,000 medicines items from being wasted by ‘Only Ordering What You Need’.

With your help, we want to do this again.

Why is this important?

Stay Well

  • Unused medicines expire and might not work as we want them to

  • Keeping big stocks of medicines at home can make drug shortages worse

Stay Safe

  • Big stocks of medicines at home can be a danger to children and pets

  • Medicines are only prescribed for you and to be safe, should not be shared

Stay Green

  • The best way to manage waste medicines, is to give them to your pharmacy. This helps stop medicines polluting our beautiful rivers and sea

  • By only ordering what you need, you help the environment, because once medicines have left the pharmacy, they cannot be recycled or use by anyone else

What we can do

The good news is there is a lot we can do to tackle medicines waste, and everyone can play a part.

Thank you for helping your community to reduce medicine waste.

Only order what you need

  • Check what medicines you have at home before you order your repeat prescriptions. If you have enough, only request the medicines you need this time. You will still be able to order others again in future

  • Speak to your pharmacy team if you have any questions about how to change your prescription request

The video above was created by the NHS in Fife and explains why reducing medicine waste is so important.

Take stock! Reducing medicines waste in Fife – NHS Fife

Open your prescription bag

Check your prescription bag before leaving the pharmacy to make sure that you only have what you need and that there’s nothing extra in there. If you return an item before you leave the pharmacy, the medicines can be reused.

Your medicines and hospitals

Always keep a list of your medicines, the doses, and how you take them in your wallet or purse, and if you know you’re going into hospital take all your medicines with you.

These actions mean that staff have a complete record of what you’re taking, that the hospital won’t need to dispense more of the same medication and can speed up your care.

When it’s time to go home take the right medicines with you. Before you leave ask if any changes have been made to your medicines and take home everything that’s still suitable.

Reduce waste with a conversation

Let your pharmacy team know if you’ve stopped taking any of your medicines or if they’re no longer right for you.

This is not a problem, and in fact, means your team will be able to improve your healthcare.

If you have any questions about anything on medicines waste email: medicine.question@nhsdorset.nhs.uk

Unused or out of date medicines can be returned to your pharmacy for safe disposal.

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