NHS aims to save millions on medicines

Each day, the NHS in England spends £22m on prescription drugs. Now local healthcare organisations are looking to take steps in the way they prescribe medicines to reduce the cost to the local NHS.

A similar campaign by North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust, in 2008, led to a saving of £5.3m in 2008-2009.

Leeds health professionals will be working with patients to change their medicines – where it is appropriate to do so – to generic alternatives.

This means that they may be offered non-branded, medicines that are just as effective as branded alternatives.

Dr Damian Riley, Medical Director and Director of Primary Care for NHS Leeds, says: “I’m really pleased that NHS organisations across the city are coming together to support this campaign which will, ultimately, benefit patients in the city.

“We want to reassure patients that any changes to their medicine will only take place if they agree to them. If anyone has any concerns, they can speak to their family doctor or a doctor at the hospital where they are receiving treatment.

“We are also calling on local people to help us by reducing the number of medicines that go to waste each year. In Leeds alone, an estimated £5m worth of unused medicines are destroyed each year.

“There are four steps local people can take to reduce medicine waste.

They are:

Think before you tick on your prescription; only tick the items you really need.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have stopped taking any of your medicines.

Take unused medicines to your pharmacy who will dispose of them safely.

If you are going to hospital for treatment, take your medicines with you.

• www.leeds.nhs.uk/medicinechanges