Wasted medicines cost NHS at least £480m a year and could fill 75 Olympic-size swimming pools

By SHAUN WOOLLER, EXECUTIVE HEALTH EDITOR Published: 00:01, 8 August 2026 | Updated: 00:01, 8 August 2026 Wasted medicines cost the NHS at least £480million a year and could fill 75 Olympic-size swimming pools, an investigation reveals. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) estimates that 3,400 tonnes worth of partially used medicines were disposed of in England in 2024/25. This is equivalent to 560 African elephants or 3,000 cars, it added. The NPA, which analysed freedom of information responses from local health bodies, is calling for patients with several repeat prescriptions to have more reviews so medicines that are no longer needed can be identified. It also urged the public not to ‘over order’ medicine and instead only order a repeat prescription when it is needed. Medicines must be disposed of in a specialist manner through pharmacies, rather than in general waste, which comes at a significant cost to the health service. Once a medicine is dispensed and handed out to a patient - even if it is unopened and its seal intact - it cannot be put back into stock when returned. Incorrect disposal can risk medicines entering the water supply and causes environmental hazards. Wasted medicines cost the NHS at least £480million a year and could fill 75 Olympic-size swimming pools. Pharmacies say patients often return half completed courses of antibiotics and may not be completing treatments prescribed to them, potentially risking their health. ‘Wasted medicines cost the NHS significant sums of money every year that could be invested in better services for patients,’ said Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association. ‘More than this, wasting medicines can have environmental and health consequences and we can do much more to tackle this growing problem. ‘As soon as a medicine leaves a pharmacy, even if it is not used and is unopened, it must be disposed of so it is important patients only get medicines they are sure they will use.’ Mr Picard, who represents 6,000 independent community pharmacies, added: ‘We are urging patients only to request medicines if they really need them when ordering repeat prescriptions. ‘As well as this, patients who are prescribed multiple medicines should have these more regularly reviewed to ensure they are being fully utilised. ‘If a patient has any concerns about their medicines, they should speak to their pharmacist who can help them get the most out of their medicines.’ The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) estimates that 3,400 tonnes worth of partially used medicines were disposed of in England in 2024/25. Responding to the findings, Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy, senior lecturer in postgraduate medicine at the University of Hertfordshire, said: ‘Medicines waste isn’t only a financial and environmental problem – it’s a patient safety and resistance problem. ‘Leftover antibiotics kept at home are often taken later without medical advice, which fuels antimicrobial resistance, one of the biggest threats to modern medicine. ‘Regular medication reviews and only ordering what is needed protects patients, the NHS and the environment.’ An NHS England spokesperson said: 'The NHS has taken action to ensure people can better manage their prescriptions on their mobile phones through the NHS app including repeat prescriptions. 'We know there is more to do which is why several local NHS services are running campaigns to reduce medicines waste, alongside wider efforts to optimise medicines use that have also seen the total number of dependency forming medications prescribed fall over the last decade.'