Understanding your medicines. 

Most people will take medicines at some point in their lives. They can be used to stop you getting ill, control a condition or cure an illness. To make the most of your medicines, you need to:

  • Take them at the right times
  • Take them in the right way
  • Look out for side effects
  • Make sure you always have enough.

Click on the link below to see the different types of medicine, the difference between branded drugs and generics, and how medicines become available.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medicines-information/

The Patients Association have produced a helpful resource here to help explain how to get the best out of your medicines:

https://www.patients-association.org.uk/understanding-your-medicines

Managing medicines day to day.

There are various options available to patients to help with day to day management of medicines including for example, larger printed labels, easier containers to open and reminder charts.  Reviews of medicines by the community pharmacist or GP can help patients understand their medicines better and possibly simplify medicines regimes so that patients can manage medicines day to day in an easier way. We know from research that many medicines aren't always taken by patients as intended. Sometimes medicines are complex to manage particularly if you are taking several medicines and for a long term condition. We therefore encourage patients to have discussions with either the community pharmacist or dispensers in order to see what options for support are available. Information for patients and healthcare professionals including a number of resources to help can be found here:

Interventions To Improve Adherence & Patient Outcomes.

Reducing medicines waste.

Did you know?

Every year £300 million pounds of NHS taxpayers’ money is spent on unused medicines that are thrown away. This is vital money that could be re-invested back into our local NHS for patient care.

Everyone has a part to play to reduce the waste of prescription medicines.

How can you help?

  • Check what medicines you have already at home before you re-order more.
  • Remember don’t tick it if you don’t need it! There is no need to worry, the item will not disappear from your repeat prescription. It will still be there next time you need to order your medication.
  • Having regular discussions with your pharmacist and GP will mean you get the right help with taking your medicines.
  • Next time you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy check your prescription bag whilst you are still inside the pharmacy. This means that you can return any unwanted medicines to the pharmacist. You cannot do this once you have left the pharmacy.

If everyone makes these small changes then together we can make a massive difference to reducing medicines waste and looking after our NHS.