Bundles of unused prescription drugs have been handed in to Maldon's hospital.
Waste of money - Margaret Cutler, pharmacy advisor at St Peter's Hospital, Maldon, with the drugs which were handed in. Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE
Nearly 400 boxes and bottles of drugs, worth about £2,000, have been passed to Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust (PCT), based at St Peter's Hospital, Spital Road.
The drugs were handed in by a relative of a former patient, who was keen to ensure the drugs were disposed of properly.
It is not known why the drugs had not been taken by the patient but it was clear they had been re-ordering supplies for several years, a PCT spokesman said.
The case has been highlighted by Mike Harrison, chief executive of the PCT, who with others is campaigning for people to tell their GP when they are no longer taking medication which has been prescribed for them.
Unfortunately, the drugs cannot be re-used and will be destroyed.
The PCT estimates £1m of drugs each year are collected by patients in their area but never actually taken.
Published Wednesday August 11, 2004
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