Don’t let medication take over your life We offer FREE advice on all aspects of medicines you are taking
We all sometimes keep medicines and pots of creams in our bathroom cabinet that are out of date, storing half-empty bottles ‘just in case they come in handy’.
But a survey by LloydsPharmacy found that one in four people have taken out of date medicines* – which isn’t advisable as they can do you more harm than good.
“Taking out of date medicines has potentially serious consequences,” says pharmacist Sam Preston. “At the very least, they might not be as effective as usual.”
But they could even be more harmful. “For example, an old, less reliable insulin pen used to treat type 1 diabetes could be dangerous as it may not provide the dose that is intended.”
Poor medicines management also costs the NHS an estimated £300m a year, £90m of which is a result of unused prescription medicines retained in people’s homes**.
Why not take time this month to spring clean your medicine cabinet? Make sure you only keep those that are still in date and still needed.
Don’t throw slotted spoon and set aside.
Add the oil to the pan, along with the spring onions, peppers and garlic and fry, stirring occasionally, for two minutes.
Add the creme fraiche and bring to the boil, then add the drained pasta with half the crispy ham, most of the herbs and some salt and pepper. Toss over the heat for a few minutes.
Add the cheese and a splash of the reserved cooking water if the sauce seems too thick, and sprinkle over the remaining crispy ham and herbs to ser ve. medicines in the bin where they could be found by children, or down the sink or loo as this could pose a risk to the environment.
Anything that’s no longer needed, out of date or damaged should be taken to your local LloydsPharmacy where it can be safely disposed of.
Different medicines require different storage methods – some are best kept in the fridge for example, so always refer to the instruction leaflet and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
And, if you’re unsure about any medication you’ve been prescribed, or need advice on how to take it, you can go to your LloydsPharmacy for a Medicines Check Up***.
This is a FREE service for anyone in England and Wales and offers a face-to-face private consultation with a pharmacist about the medicines you are taking.
It will give you a better understanding of anything you’re prescribed and how it works, as well as the best way to take it to effectively treat or control your condition.
It can help put your mind at rest and allay any concerns, as well as give you expert advice about any side-effects you might be having.
And, if you’re taking multiple medicines, a Medicines Check Up can help give you information that could allow them to become part of your routine – rather than taking over it, so you can carry on living your life as you want to.