20 July 2026
Islanders are being asked to take a few simple steps to reduce medicine waste by managing their medicine ordering more carefully.
Reducing waste helps manage medicine supplies, protects healthcare resources and reduces the impact on the environment. It also helps keep people safe by preventing the stockpiling of expired medicines that may no longer work properly and could be accidentally used or shared with family members.
Medicine waste remains a significant issue. In the UK, up to 10% of all medicine dispensed is wasted, and around half of all medicines returned to pharmacies for disposal are unopened.
In Jersey, unused medicines are estimated to cost £500,000 each year.
To encourage people to check their prescriptions carefully, pharmacies will place stickers on prescription packages stating: “Please check your medicines now before leaving the pharmacy. Help avoid medicines waste.”
Key messages for Islanders:
Only Order What You Need
- check your medicine cabinet and only order what you need
- tell your prescriber if they are repeating medicines you don’t need
- tell your pharmacist if you don’t need any prescription items, and check your bag before leaving
Stay organised
- check what medicines you have at home before you order your repeat prescriptions
- check your prescription bag before leaving the pharmacy
- ff you see an item that you don’t need, return it before leaving the pharmacy so the medicine can be reused
Stay well
- unused medicines expire and may not work properly when you need them
- stockpiling medicines contributes to shortages, and can prevent others from getting the treatment they need
- have regular check-ups with your GP to make sure your prescription still suits you
By only ordering the medicines they need and checking prescriptions before leaving the pharmacy, Islanders can play an important role in reducing waste and ensuring medicines are available for those who need them most.
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.”
gov.je