PATIENTS and carers across Gwent are being urged to think hard about whether they need all the medicines on their repeat prescriptions.

Aneurin Bevan Health Board is declaring war on waste medicines as a means of trying to save money - and patients have a key role to play.

The cost of medicines prescribed by GPs alone in Gwent is more than £100 million a year, and each day £297,000 is spent in the area on medicines.

The health board is predicting an overspend of £6m this year, and prescription costs is a key area for savings.

"Its pharmacy teams are working with GPs to ensure medicines which offer the same quality and benefits for patients at a reduced cost, are used when appropriate, and this work will have saved £2.5m by the end of March.

Minimising any overspend on medicines is important as going into the red in this area would impact on other services, and on access to newer medicines for patients.

Before ordering repeat prescriptions, patients and carers are being asked to consider whether a further supply is needed at that time, or whether they have enough of the medicines required at home.

They are also urged to tell their GP or pharmacist if they have stopped taking any medicines, and are being reminded that they do not have to order everything on the list every time if their supplies are sufficient.

Vickki Birch, of Ebbw Co-op Pharmacy, gave a startling example of waste medicine.

"When one of our patients passed away, family members asked if we could dispose of the medication they had left over," she said.

"We of course said yes, and they proceeded to go to their car and carry out three black bags, full to bursting.

"The medication involved included inhalers, nebulisers, creams, tablets and capsules. The cost I wouldn't even like to guess at."