GO GREEN this Christmas’ is the message from the region’s pharmacy teams – asking people not to stockpile items during the festive period.
Thousands of medications end up going unused every year in Dumfries and Galloway, but with a cost to the environment during their production and when they subsequently have to be binned.
Dr Emily Kennedy is chair of the region’s Green Prescribing Group, and she said: “It’s important that everyone makes sure that they have the medications they need over Christmas and New Year – taking note of when local pharmacies will be shut.
“However, NHS Dumfries and Galloway is pursuing a goal of becoming net zero by 2040, and a big part of this means tackling medicines waste.
“Every year, a huge amount of prescribed medication, as well as that bought over the counter, ends up not being used.
“This medication goes beyond its use by date, and has to be thrown away.
“This is damaging to the environment in two ways – firstly, the impact from the production of medication which then goes unused, and secondly when it comes time to find a way to dispose of that unused medication.
“We want people to think carefully, to make sure they have what they require, but not to overstock on items so that a lot end up having to be thrown away.”
As part of NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s net zero efforts, a new local website has been created which will host information about the organisation’s efforts, and the part everyone can play in helping to achieve the goal of being net zero by 2040. The website can be visited at www.nhsdg.co.uk/netzero
Some videos currently featured on the site focus on respiratory medications, and see Dr Kennedy explaining the impact that different inhalers can have on the environment.
Emily said: “We only have one planet, and it’s important that everyone considers their role in ensuring it’s sustainable.
“Please do consider your use of medications, in the same way you would think about all the other actions which contribute to the health of your environment.
“And please, have a safe and happy Christmas.”
Details of pharmacies which will be open at times over Christmas and New Year are as follows:
Sunday, 24.12.23:
Whithorn Pharmacy
Address: 67-69 St John Street, Whithorn, DG8 8PD
Opening Hours: 10 am – 12 pm
Tuesday, 26.12.23:
Whithorn Pharmacy
Address: 67-69 St John Street, Whithorn, DG8 8PD
Opening Hours: 10 am – 12 pm
Boots The Chemist Ltd
Address: 74 High Street, Dumfries, DG1 2BS
Opening Hours: 10 am – 2 pm
Monday, 01.01.24:
Creebridge Mill Pharmacy – Creebridge Mill
Address: Creebridge Mill, Creebridge, Newton Stewart, DG8 6NP
Opening Hours: 10 am – 12 pm
Tuesday, 02.01.24:
Creebridge Mill Pharmacy – Creebridge Mill
Address: Creebridge Mill, Creebridge, Newton Stewart, DG8 6NP
Opening Hours: 10 am – 12 pm
Boots The Chemist Ltd
Address: 74 High Street, Dumfries, DG1 2BS
Opening Hours: 10 am – 2 pm
Rowlands Pharmacy
Address: 12 Castle Street, Dumfries, DG1 1DR
Opening Hours: 12 pm – 2 pm
Davidson’s Chemists
Address: Market Place, Langholm, DG13 0JY
Opening Hours: 10 am – 12 pm
For more information on the NHS’s net zero campaign, please visit www.nhsdg.co.uk/netzero
