Local Health Campaign – Only Order What You Need (1–19 December 2025)
Thursday 4th December 2025
As part of the locally agreed public health campaigns, Devon ICB has selected the ‘Only Order What You Need’ campaign to run from 01 December to 19 December 2025.
Each year, the NHS wastes approximately £300 million on unused medicines in England. A significant proportion of this waste is avoidable, often arising when patients routinely order more medication than they need. Every pound spent on wasted medicines is a pound less available for delivering vital NHS services.
On the 21 November all contractors should have received, campaign materials and instructions on how to participate in campaign – more information is here.
This campaign aims to raise awareness and promote responsible ordering of repeat prescriptions. Pharmacy teams are being asked to:
-
Encourage patients to review what medicines they already have before ordering more.
-
Promote the message to only order what is needed.
-
Empower patients to take control of their repeat prescriptions and to speak with their pharmacist or GP if their medication needs change.
-
Raise awareness that unwanted medicines cannot be reused and should not be stockpiled.
Please note that this is a mandatory campaign, and all pharmacies are required to participate.
If you have any queries about this campaign, please contact the pharmacy team at: england.pharmacysouthwest@nhs.net
Thank you for your continued support in helping to reduce medicines waste and improve patient awareness across our communities.
Thursday 4th December 2025
