Wasted medicine in England could fill 75 swimming pools a year, pharmacy group says

A pharmaceutical group in England has raised concerns about the staggering amount of wasted medicines, estimating that the discarded medications could fill 75 swimming pools annually. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) reported that 3,400 tonnes of partially used medicines were disposed of in England during the 2024-25 fiscal year.

This waste not only amounts to a significant financial burden, costing the National Health Service (NHS) at least £480 million each year, but also poses environmental and health risks. Olivier Picard, the chair of the NPA, emphasized that wasted medicines represent millions of pounds that could otherwise be invested in enhancing patient services.

He further stressed the importance of patients only obtaining medicines they are confident they will use. The NPA, representing over 6,000 independent community pharmacies across the UK, advocated for more frequent reviews of repeat prescriptions to identify medicines that are no longer needed and to prevent unnecessary orders. Additionally, the group urged the public to refrain from over-ordering medicines.

Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy, a senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, warned that surplus medicines are not just a financial and environmental issue but also a patient safety and antimicrobial resistance problem, as leftover antibiotics may be taken later without medical advice. She highlighted the urgency of regular medication reviews and ordering only necessary medications to safeguard patients, the NHS, and the environment.

An NHS England spokesperson acknowledged the issue, stating that they have implemented various measures to help patients manage their prescriptions more effectively, including the use of the NHS app for repeat prescriptions. However, they emphasized that further efforts are required, citing recent warnings about severe shortages of NHS medicines, including common painkillers, epilepsy drugs, and HRT.

Health leaders have warned of long-standing supply issues affecting Estradot, a hormone replacement therapy used by menopausal women, and Creon, a medication for pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis patients.