‘75 swimming pools’ worth of wasted medicine thrown away in England every year

Wasted medicine costs the NHS at least £480 million annually

An association of pharmacists has warned wasted medication could be costing the NHS nearly £500m a year which could be 'invested in better services for patients'

Around 3,400 tonnes of partially used medicines were estimated to have been thrown away in England in one year, pharmacies have said - enough to fill 75 swimming pools.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) estimates that 3,400 tonnes worth of partially used medicines were disposed of in England in 2024/25.

Industry body calls for more regular reviews of repeat prescriptions to tackle ‘growing problem’ The amount of wasted medicines thrown away in England in one year could fill 75 swimming pools, according to a pharmacy group. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) estimated that 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines wer