A BID to ensure people get the best possible value from their medicines comes as NHS Dumfries and Galloway works to address a £21.3 million savings target in 2025/26.
As part of work focused on optimising medication usage, a publicity campaign will note that public involvement will be essential in making progress.
The campaign will outline a variety of strategies, such as encouraging people to re-order only the medicines they truly need – which represents just one element of the broader initiative.
Nikki Holmes is the new Pharmacy Director at NHS Dumfries and Galloway, and she said: “Medicines are the most common way that people manage their health, both in the community and in hospital.
“It’s important that medication usage is correct, appropriate and effective, especially at a time when our Board is faced with such a significant funding shortfall, and when the money for all medications and all other services comes out of one single local pot.
“Nationally, Boards are being required to work within the available funding, and NHS Dumfries and Galloway is not alone in seeking to ensure that its approach to medicines is effective, efficient and patient-centred.”
Each year, more than £1 million is lost to medicines waste in the region — a figure that the Board believes can be reduced through targeted initiatives and a shift in public behaviour.
Ms Holmes said: “We’ll be working to make sure the medicines we buy are being used in the best possible way for our patients, and not wasted. This isn’t just a one-off campaign — this is an ongoing, evolving approach, and we need people’s help. Look out for messages like this for further details.”
This push forms part of the Board’s wider savings goal of five per cent annually, with £21.3 million targeted in 2025/26 alone. It is hoped that the overall medicines optimisation strategy could contribute at least £4 million toward that target via various means.
Beyond the NHS pressures, the Health and Social Care Partnership in Dumfries and Galloway is facing a collective financial shortfall of £57.9 million in this new financial year before identified savings are applied.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway says the measures being taken are vital to ensure that services including prescribing remain effective and sustainable — especially at a time when the system is under intense financial pressure.
Director of Finance Katy Kerr said: “We face very significant financial challenges as a Board, and I fully support the work taking place across our organisation to ensure we’re employing our resources to the best advantage of the people who rely on us for treatment and care.
“It’s important that everybody recognises the role they can play in supporting this collective effort.”
Addressing the example of only re-ordering medication which is actually needed, Ms Holmes said: “We’re not asking people to go without medicines — just to work with us to ensure they’re taking the best medication for them.
“Every medication which goes unused or is unnecessary puts additional strain on a system working to ensure that those people who need a medication are able to receive them, along with provision of all our other core services.
“By understanding this situation, working together, and doing what we can when we can, we can all make a difference.”
