New ‘Think Twice, Order Right’ campaign launched to reduce medicines waste and protect patient safety

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NHS Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin have launched a new campaign, ‘Think Twice, Order Right,’ to address the significant issue of medicines waste in our community. Did you know that approximately £2.6million of medicine items are wasted unnecessarily in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin each year? This campaign aims to reduce this waste, protect patient safety, and ensure NHS resources are used effectively.

The campaign urges residents to check what medicines they already have at home before ordering repeat prescriptions and to only request what they genuinely need. By doing so, we can prevent medicine shortages, reduce risks at home, and minimise environmental harm.

How You Can Help?

· Check first: Before ordering medicines check the amount you have and whether it is in date. Only reorder medications when you have around 7 to 10 days left. Only request the medicines you need.

· Think safety: Unused medicines can negatively impact the environment if thrown away. Return any unused or expired medicines to local pharmacies for safe disposal.

· Double-check at the pharmacy: Before leaving the pharmacy premises (building), check your bag and hand back any unwanted medicines for reuse.

By following these steps, you can help reduce medicine waste and ensure resources are used effectively.

Why Is This Important?

· Stay Well: Unused medicines go out of date and might not work as intended, compromising care. Plus, stockpiling medicines worsens drug shortages.

· Stay Safe: Stockpiles of medicines at home can be dangerous for children and pets. Medicines are prescribed for you and should not be shared.

· Stay Green: Only requesting the medicines, you need means that you are helping the environment by reducing medicine waste. When you dispose of medicines properly you are helping to make sure that waste medicines do not pollute our rivers and seas.

Returning any unused or expired medicines from home to pharmacy ensures they are safely disposed of. If you return medicines before leaving the pharmacy building, medicines can be reused.

By ‘Thinking Twice and Ordering Right,’ you can help protect NHS resources, keep medicines available for those who need them, and prevent unnecessary environmental harm.

If you are unsure what to do, speak to your Pharmacy Team. Find out more about the campaign at: www.ThinkTwiceOrderRight.co.uk