NHS to crack down on medicine wastage

New government plans have been announced that aim to save money for the NHS by tackling the issue of avoidable medicine wastage.

The Department of Health has announced the establishment of the Steering Group to Improve the Use of Medicines, consisting of experts and patient representatives, which will publish its first report early next year.

Chaired by National Voices trustee Robert Johnstone and Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott, the group will aim to tackle not only wastage, but will also identify means of supporting patients in regularly taking their medicines as prescribed.

This will help to eliminate the estimated 300 million pound total thought to be lost as a result of wasted medicines each year, as well as improving efficiency and delivering care quality benefits.

Health minister Lord Howe said: "Every pound wasted is a pound that could be spent on treating patients. By reducing medicine wastage, the NHS will save money that can be spent in other areas of patient care."

Last week, the department announced the launch of 75 Local HealthWatch pathfinder schemes, designed to give patients a stronger voice in regard to NHS modernisation plans.