Simple steps for safer care and a greener NHS 

Medicines waste costs the NHS millions each year and can put patients at risk. Here’s how you can help—without missing a single dose. 

Order only what you need 

Check your cupboard first. Before you re-order, make sure you still need each item and you’ve not got unopened boxes at home. 

Aim for a sensible buffer. Re-order when you have around 7–10 days left (earlier for your pouched medications. Best to follow the notifications on when to order by downloading the PillTime app). 

Be precise with quantities. If you don’t need an item this month, untick it in your app or tell the pharmacy/GP surgery not to issue it. 

Don’t stockpile. Hoarding increases the chance of medicines expiring or being used incorrectly, and they cannot be re-dispensed once returned. 

If your medication has changed 

Tell your GP surgery straight away. Ask them to remove stopped items from your repeat list, or update the dose/strength if that has changed. 

Tell your pharmacy too. We’ll note the change and avoid ordering/dispensing the old item again. 

After hospital or clinic visits: changes don’t always reach your GP immediately—please share your discharge/clinic letter with the surgery (and with us, if you can). 

Avoid common ordering pitfalls 

Inhalers, insulin, creams and PRN (as-needed) medicines: these often last longer than one month—only order when you’re genuinely running low. 

Split doses or dose packs: if your GP changes the strength (e.g., two 5 mg tablets → one 10 mg tablet), make sure the old strength is removed from repeat. 

Pouched medication: tell us about any changes before your next cycle starts, otherwise pouches may need to be remade and wasted. 

Going away or changing address? 

Request early only if needed and explain your travel dates—your GP may authorise an early supply. 

Delivery patients: make sure someone can accept the parcel. Missed deliveries can mean medicines come back and cannot be reused. 

Unwanted or expired medicines 

Bring them back to the pharmacy for safe disposal. 

Do not put medicines in household waste or flush them down the sink or toilet. 

Sharps (e.g., pen needles): ask us or your council about a sharps bin and collection. 

For safety and legal reasons, returned medicines cannot be re-issued to another patient—even if unopened. 

If you’ve stopped a medicine or had side effects 

Stop and speak to a clinician if you’ve been advised to, or if you’re worried about a reaction. 

Contact your GP surgery to remove the item from repeat and discuss alternatives. 

Tell the pharmacy so we don’t prepare or request it again. 

How to keep everything in sync 

Use one method to order repeats (your GP’s app/website or our pharmacy service).