A CAMPAIGN has been launched to encourage residents to help reduce NHS waste by managing prescriptions and thinking about self-care.

NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) campaign, ‘Help Save NHS Resources’, asks people to think about the cost to the local NHS when prescription medicines are wasted or ordered without looking at alternatives.

Wasted medicines cost the local NHS nearly £1 million every year.

It also costs the NHS four times more to provide paracetamol on prescription than it does for patients to buy them in a pharmacy or supermarket.

Janet Probert, chief officer of the CCG said: “The NHS is facing serious financial challenges – this will come as no surprise to our residents.

“We’re therefore urging everyone to look at things a little differently.

“When next ordering repeat prescriptions, patients should check what supplies they already have of those medicines. It may not be necessary to order all of those medicines every time, especially those that aren’t taken every day.”

Posters will be placed in GP surgeries and pharmacies across the region to raise awareness of the campaign.

The CCG will also be publicising it on social media to get the message across.