PATIENTS in the area are contributing to the waste of £500,000-worth of NHS resources by ordering medicines and then not taking them.

That's the amount people in Bromsgrove and Redditch waste in a single year on unwanted medicines and which could be spent on operations or employing an additional 25 nurses or physiotherapists.

Next week, October 13-18, is Ask about Medicines week, when Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust will launch its Don't Waste Medicines poster and Your Medicines leaflet.

Dr Bill Borastero, the chairman of the Professional Executive Committee said: 'We hope to raise awareness of medicines and the effect they have on health and well-being.

"We would like patients to be better informed and have a greater understanding of the medication they are taking and how to make the most appropriate use of them.

"In this way, less medicine should be wasted."

He added: "Many patients hoard medicines which can be dangerous as they can go out of date.

"Every week nationally, hospitals admit children, and sometimes adults, who have accidentally taken medication not intended for them - sadly some will die. We hope that by supporting this campaign, we will raise awareness about the dangers of overstocking."

One key message is that people should only order from their GP what they need.

Any unwanted medicines should be taken to a community pharmacy which will dispose of them safely.

"Unwanted medicines cannot be re-used - we cannot guarantee that they have been stored correctly and so we have to waste them," said Dr Borastero.

If people don't understand any aspect of their medication then they should ask their GP, nurse or their pharmacist.