Wasted medicine in England could fill 75 swimming pools a year, pharmacy group says
Summary
A pharmacy group says that in England, people throw away 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines each year, enough to fill 75 swimming pools. This waste costs the National Health Service (NHS) at least £480 million annually and causes environmental and health problems.Key Facts
- England wastes 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines annually (2024-25).
- The wasted medicines could fill 75 swimming pools.
- The waste costs the NHS at least £480 million every year.
- Medicines must be thrown away once they leave the pharmacy, even if unopened.
- The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) urges patients to only order medicines they need.
- Patients with many repeat prescriptions should have regular reviews to avoid unnecessary medicines.
- Leftover antibiotics taken without advice can cause drug resistance, a serious health risk.
- NHS England is working to improve prescription management through its app and local campaigns.
- There are current shortages of some common NHS medicines like painkillers and hormone therapies.
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