Repeat prescriptions – Only order what you need

A message from NHS Surrey

Pharmacy teams and GPs across are asking people to only order the medicines they need from their repeat prescriptions. Unused medicines cost the NHS around £300 million every year and a large amount of medicine items are wasted. When medicines are wasted, they can’t be reused or recycled, and this adds to pollution and harms wildlife. It also means that valuable NHS resources are being wasted.

We need your help to reduce this. Here’s how you can play your part:

Before you order medicines

  • Check what you already have at home. Medicines on repeat prescriptions stay on your list even if you don’t order them every time.
  • Only order the medicines you need right now.
  • Keep your medicines in one safe place. This way, you’ll know how much you’ve got left.
  • Stay organised. About 7–10 days before your prescription is due, check what you need to reorder. If there’s a holiday coming up, plan ahead so you don’t run out!
  • When you collect medicines
  • Check the bag before you leave the pharmacy. If there’s something in there that you don’t need, give it back. The pharmacy can reuse it if it hasn’t left the building.

If you go to hospital

Take your medicines with you. This helps the hospital team know what you’re already taking, and they won’t need to give you more of the same thing.

Ask about changes. When you leave, check if your medicines are different and take home only what you need.

Chat with your pharmacist

  • Let your pharmacy and GP team know if you’ve stopped taking any of your medicines. Also tell them if any medicines are no longer right for you.
  • Got a question about your medicines? Your pharmacy team is there to help!
  • Don’t bin old medicines or inhalers. Take them back to the pharmacy for safe disposal.

By being mindful of the medicines we use, we can all help reduce waste and make a big difference. Thank you for helping!

Find out more about medicines waste on the NHS Surrey Heartlands website www.surreyheartlands.org/medicines-waste

Published on 12 March 2025