Medicine Mismanagement: The Soaring Cost of Waste in England's NHS The latest figures on wasted medicines in England are staggering – 3,400 tonnes of partly used medications were disposed of in one year alone, enough to fill 75 swimming pools.
This waste costs the National Health Service a whopping £480m annually. The National Pharmacy Association estimates that this waste is largely due to systemic issues within England's healthcare system.
Patients are often prescribed medications without thorough reviews or follow ups, leading to over ordering and waste. Medicines are being discarded before they can even be used.