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England pharmacy group estimates 3,400 tonnes of wasted medicines in 2024-25
The group said wasted medicines cost the NHS more than £480m annually and urged more frequent reviews of repeat prescriptions.
England’s National Pharmacy Association estimates that 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines were disposed of in 2024-25, enough to fill 75 swimming pools each year, according to analysis of data from regional health bodies.
The NPA estimated the problem costs the NHS more than £480m annually, and said the waste can also create environmental and health consequences beyond the financial impact.
The association is calling for patients who have multiple repeat prescriptions to get more regular reviews, so medicines no longer needed can be identified before they are discarded.
Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, said patients should request medicines only if they really need them when ordering repeat prescriptions, and clinicians should ensure prescriptions are being fully utilised, while an NHS England spokesperson pointed to efforts to help people manage repeat prescriptions through the NHS app.