Only order what you need

Approximately 2.5 million medicine items are wasted unnecessarily across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight each year. We need your help to reduce this.

Why is this important?

Stay Well

• Unused medicines expire and might not work as intended, meaning your care might be comprised.
• Stockpiling medicines worsens drug shortages

Stay Safe

• Stockpiles of medicines kept at home can be dangerous for children and pets
• Medicines are only prescribed for you and for safety’s sake should not be shared with anyone else

Stay Green

• When you dispose of medicines properly, by handing them in your pharmacy, you are helping to make sure that waste medicines do not pollute our rivers and seas
• Only ordering what you need means that you are helping the environment because once medicines have left the pharmacy, they cannot be recyled or used by anyone else

What we can do

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

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 when you need them in the future.
• Speak to your pharmacy team if you have any questions about how to change your prescription request.

Please remember that any unused or out of date medicines can be returned to your pharmacy for safe disposal.