Unused medicines in Jersey cost £500,000 a year

Monday, 20 July 2026 15:27

By Harry Booth

Medicines that aren't used in Jersey costs around £500,000 a year.

The government is asking islanders to order their medicine 'more carefully' to reduce medicine waste.

In the UK, up to 10% of all medicine dispensed is wasted, and around half of all medicines returned to pharmacies are unopened.

Stickers will be put on prescription packages in Jersey, stating: "Please check your medicines now before leaving the pharmacy. Help avoid medicines waste."

The main advice is to:

Check your medicine cabinet and only order what you need
Tell your prescriber if they are repeating medicine you don't need
Tell your pharmacist if you don't need any prescription items, and check your bag before leaving
Check what medicines you have at home before you order your repeat prescriptions
Check your prescription bag before leaving the pharmacy
If you see an item you don't need, return it before leaving the pharmacy so the medicine can be reused
Have regular check-ups with your GP to make sure your prescription still suits you

A Government of Jersey spokesperson said:

"We want to reassure Islanders that this campaign is not about restricting access to medicines or asking people to go without treatment. It is simply about encouraging people to check what medicines they already have at home and only order the items they currently need.

"Patients will still be able to request repeat medicines when needed. However, once medicines have left the pharmacy, they cannot be reused by another patient, even if they are unopened. By checking prescription bags before leaving the pharmacy and only ordering the medicines they need, Islanders can help reduce waste, protect healthcare resources and minimise environmental impact."