Wednesday 23 December 2020
Stockpiling medicines could mean others can't get access to them - that's the message from Health & Social Care as it launches a campaign to urge people only to re-order what they need.
This time of year is traditionally when people may think about medicine stocks. But stockpiling doesn't help the community - in fact, it can actively inconvenience or even harm other people by reducing availability of medicines that they may need.
Quite simply: if you don't need it, don't order it.
Prescriptions are not valid until the date on which they are due, unless you are off the island when your next prescription is due. They may be dispensed up to four business days early to allow for weekends. So please do not pressurise your pharmacy into dispensing early.
Geraldine O'Riordan at the Prescribing Support Unit said:
"Islanders have an extremely important role to play in reducing medicine wastage and combating any potential shortages by ensuring they don't automatically re-order any prescription items or decide to stockpile. Medicines are wasted when they are prescribed and supplied and then not taken or used by the patients - it helps no one. If you have your prescription in your possession, cross off any unwanted item by putting a line through it on the prescription form. If your prescription is at the pharmacy, ask the pharmacy staff to do so on your behalf.
"If you use eye drops, inhalers, insulin, creams or medicines that you use 'when required' please take particular care not to request more than you need. You don't have to order your medicine every month if you already have enough, it's fine to skip a few months and then ask for it to be dispensed again. If you have stopped taking a medicine it is very important to tell your doctor.
"Everyone has a role to play in reducing the likelihood of medicine shortages and if everyone takes this action we can better safeguard the health of our community and would be another shining example of the Guernsey Together spirit which has served us so well this year."
Prescription medicine growth rate has been lower in the Bailiwick than the NHS for several years, but it is important people review what they are receiving in order for this trend to continue.
