Pharmacies claim the amount of wasted medicines thrown away in England in just one year could fill 75 swimming pools.
The public has been told not to “over-order” medicine and instead only order a repeat prescription when it is needed after an estimated 3,400 tonnes worth of partially used medicines were disposed of in England in 2024/25, according to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).
The NPA, which analysed data from local health bodies, estimates that wasted medicine costs the NHS at least £480 million a year.
“Wasted medicines cost the NHS significant sums of money every year that could be invested in better services for patients,” said Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association.
“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, is calling for patients with several repeat prescriptions to have more reviews so medicines that are no longer needed can be identified.
“We are urging patients only to request medicines if they really need them when ordering repeat prescriptions,” Mr Picard added.
“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.”
Commenting, Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy, senior lecturer in postgraduate medicine at the University of Hertfordshire, 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.”
