Repeat prescriptions? Only order what you need.
If you take regular medicines, you’ll know how easy it is to tick “re-order” on your
repeat prescription. But before you do this, it’s worth having a quick look at what you
already have at home. If you still have enough medicine to get you through, you
don’t need to order more just yet.
Only ordering what you need helps keep you safe. Having lots of extra medicines at
home increases the chance they’ll go out of date, meaning they may no longer work
as they should.
If you’ve stopped taking a medicine or aren’t sure you still need it, ask your GP
practice for a medication review. This review is to make sure everything on your
prescription is right for you.
It might feel like a small thing, but it genuinely makes a big difference. Across the
NHS, unused medicines cost around £300 million every year. Ordering only what
you need helps reduce this waste and helps prevent shortages for others who rely
on the same medicines.
A quick check before you re-order is all it takes. When it comes to repeat
prescriptions, only order what you need.
