Generic drugs online

Source: Yorkshire Evening Post

Date: 26-May-2008

Author: Katie Baldwin

A STAGGERING £5m worth of unused medicines were destroyed in Leeds over the past year.

The figure - which would pay for 700 heart or 7,000 cataract operations - was revealed as health bosses launched a campaign to remind people to order only what they need.

Leeds Primary Care Trust spends £115m a year on dispensing more than 11m prescription items for people in the Leeds area.

But medicines, even if they are unopened, cannot be reused so must be destroyed.

Now Leeds Primary Care Trust (PCT) has teamed up with GP surgeries, health centres and pharmacies to encourage people to use their prescriptions more effectively and only when necessary. Patients going into hospital should also take their medication.

Kate Hughes, pharmacist at Lloyd's pharmacy in Meanwood, Leeds, said: "If anyone has any unused medicines at home we're encouraging them to take them back to a pharmacy or dispensing practice for safe disposal."

Kim Taylor, medicines management facilitator from Leeds PCT, added: "It is important that people only reorder the medicines they need.

Pharmacists are the experts on medicines and can help patients who have any questions about their prescriptions."