IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This website is no longer being updated.

NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group has, from 1 July 2022, been replaced by the new NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB). The ICB is now responsible for commissioning and funding of health and care services in the local area. Please go to our new website www.southyorkshire.icb.nhs.uk for information about the work of NHS South Yorkshire ICB.

For local health information visit Your Health Rotherham

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Medicines Waste

medicines waste

After listening to patients and carers across Rotherham, we have launched a campaign asking local people to let us know about any excess medicine problems and we'll resolve the problem for them.

Local pharmacy experts have estimated that around £1.5 million of NHS money is lost a year in Rotherham through medicines waste alone, money that could be better spent on caring for patients. In 2013 alone, over one billion prescription items were given out to patients in England at community pharmacies – an average of 2.7 million items every day and 18.7 items for every person living in the country.

Prescription medicines are one of the biggest costs to the NHS, which is why it is important that we all look for ways to avoid waste. Also, it is important to remember that it’s not safe to leave medicines lying around in the house, especially where they may be in reach of children or other vulnerable people. 

We have spoken to lots of patients and carers and heard several patient stories about large piles of medication taking over cupboards in homes and in some cases spilling out, whilst the individuals were left feeling helpless and frustrated about how to stop the problem.  We want to keep the message very simple, if you’ve got medicines piling up and don’t know want to do about it, tell us and we’ll sort it for you. 

 

Download the campaign poster here 

Download the medicines waste form here - please complete this form and return to your GP practice or post to the Medicines Management Team at the address below:                                                                                                                                                                   

Medicines Management Team 
Oak House
Moorhead Way
Bramley
Rotherham
South Yorkshire S66 1YY

 

If you, a family member or neighbour has medication that is not being used and don’t know what to do with it, please let us know: