Public urged not to waste medications

A PLEA has been made to the public to get the best possible value from their medication - as part of NHS Dumfries and Galloway's bid to find £21m of savings. Health officials want to 'optimise medication usage, but say they need public involvement to make any progress. As such, they are encouraging people to re-order only the medicines they truly need. Pharmacy director Nikki Holmes said: “Medicines are the most common way that people manage their health, both in the community and in hospital. “It’s important that medication usage is correct, appropriate and effective, especially at a time when our board is faced with such a significant funding shortfall, and when the money for all medications and all other services comes out of one single local pot." Each year, more than £1 million is lost to medicines waste in the region — a figure the board believes can be reduced through a shift in public behaviour. Ms Holmes said: “We’ll be working to make sure the medicines we buy are being used in the best possible way for our patients, and not wasted. “We’re not asking people to go without medicines — just to work with us to ensure they’re taking the best medication for them. “Every medication which goes unused or is unnecessary puts additional strain on a system working to ensure that those people who need a medication are able to receive them, along with provision of all our other core services. “We can all make a difference.”