An estimated £18 million is wasted locally every year on unused prescribed medicines including creams, inhalers and pain medications. By patients only ordering what they need, it helps NHS resources go where they are most needed instead of waste and reduces the environmental impact of healthcare.

West Yorkshire’s ‘Only order what you need’ campaign ran for 12 weeks from the 7 July - 27 September 2025 and focused on educating patients or those ordering prescriptions on their behalf such as carers, on the impact of over-ordering and stockpiling prescription medicines.

Lots of feedback and comments were shared on social media posts and will be used to help improve how we deliver services. The most common questions have been answered below.  You can also find a list of FAQs relating to medicines waste by visiting the Only order what you need website.

Answering your questions about medicines waste

Help us reduce medicines waste by only ordering what you need.

Q. Will it be taken off my medicines list if I don’t order it?
Answering your questions about medicines waste. Rotating graphic with images of common medicines including prescription tablets and inhalers.
A. No. Even if you don’t order a medicine for a few months, it will still be on your repeat prescription list.

✔️Let your GP practice or pharmacy know why you aren’t ordering it so they can note it on your medical record.

✔️When you do re-order it your GP practice or pharmacy may contact you to make sure it’s still suitable for you.
Q. What if I’m worried about the availability of my medicine? Answering your questions about medicines waste. Rotating graphic with images of common medicines including prescription tablets and inhalers.
A: Talk to your pharmacy team, especially if you’ve had trouble getting your medicine in the past.

✔️They know how important it is for you to have your medicine and will do all they can to get it for you.

✔️It’s tempting to stockpile medicines if you’re worried but this can lead to medicines shortages for others.
Q. Why can’t unopened medicines be re-used if they’ve left the pharmacy?
Answering your questions about medicines waste. Rotating graphic with images of common medicines including prescription tablets and inhalers.
 
A: Medicines must be stored in specific conditions to stay safe and effective which cannot be guaranteed if you’ve left the pharmacy.
✔️If you collect your medicines from a pharmacy, check you only have what you ordered before you leave the counter.
✔️If there are any unwanted medicines in your order, the pharmacy will be able to re-use them.
Q: Can I keep antibiotics I have left over or didn’t use?

Answering your questions about medicines waste. Rotating graphic with images of common medicines including prescription tablets and inhalers.
A: No. Please take any unused antibiotics to a pharmacy to be disposed of safely and responsibly.

✖️Taking antibiotics when they’re not needed, or without medical guidance, can lead to antibiotic resistance.

✖️This could mean that antibiotics won’t work effectively for you, and others around you, when they are needed.
Q. Do medicines that are disposed of incorrectly impact the environment?
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A. Yes. Medicines waste can pollute waterways and soil, harming plants and wildlife.
✖️Inhalers, even when empty, can leak harmful greenhouse gases if not disposed of correctly.
Q. Why is stockpiling medicines a safety risk?
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A. Stockpiled medicines may go out of date while they are being stored.
✖️Taking an out-of-date medicine can be ineffective and even harmful.
✖️Stockpiles of medicines kept at home can also be dangerous for children and pets.