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Written question asked by Oliver Colvile (Conservative) on Monday, 20 February 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 February 2017. It was answered by David Mowat (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 February 2017 on behalf of the Department of Health.


NHS: Waste Disposal

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what advice is given to patients and families of deceased patients who no longer require prescribed medicines, aids and medical equipment.

Answer

Disposal of waste medicines is an essential service within the community pharmacy contractual framework, to be provided by all community pharmacies in England. NHS England is responsible for commissioning National Health Service pharmaceutical services.

Patients are normally advised to return unused medicines to their local community pharmacy for safe disposal. This is the case also for patients and families of deceased patients who no longer require prescribed medicines.

Appliances are normally collected by community nurses. Occasionally there is a local amnesty with appeals to patients to return equipment, for example crutches and wheelchairs to accident and emergency departments.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
64526
Session
2016-17
Subjects
Death Drugs NHS Patients Medical equipment Waste disposal
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk