A new group has been set up to tackle the £300 million lost every year in the NHS because of medicine wastage. The group will also identify how people can be better supported in taking their medicines as prescribed – helping to improve their long-term health outcomes and ensuring better value for the NHS.
Commenting at the launch, Health minister Lord Howe said: ‘We want to look at how patients can make the most of the medicines they take. This isn’t just about saving money… it is about making sure that patients stay well and get the best outcomes from their medicines. 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.” The Steering Group to Improve the Use of Medicines will be made up of experts and patients’ representatives and will initially report in early 2012. The group will be jointly chaired by Robert Johnstone, a Trustee of National Voices and Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice.
