Every year, about £18 million worth of medicines go to waste in West Yorkshire. This includes things like inhalers, pain medicine and creams.

The NHS needs your help! Follow these easy steps when ordering your medicines:

How you can help

1. Only order what you need - before getting more, check what medicines you already have.
2. Return extras - when picking up your medicines at the pharmacy, only take what you need. If you return something before leaving, it can likely be reused.
3. Stick to your routine - order your medicines when you're running low (7-10 days before it's needed), and no earlier.  

 By doing this, you will:

• Get the right medicines and care
• Help reduce waste
• Save NHS resources
• Help reduce environmental harm

It’s also safer! Keeping too much medicine can cause confusion, especially if your prescription changes, and/or harm to children and pets in the home, if it comes into their reach.

You are encouraged to speak with your GP or pharmacy team if there are repeat medicines you no longer need or want to take any more. A more appropriate plan will then be discussed with you if necessary.

For more information click here.