Hi all

I’m interested in the opinion of this group to help direct our approach to our shortlisted Q project. https://q.health.org.uk/idea/2024/medicine-waste-in-care-homes-reducing-social-and-environmental-impact/

We are interested in the avoidable medicines waste generated in care homes. Avoidable waste – focusing mainly on re-ordering of items monthly that are not needed rather than unavoidable waste such as changes to medicines, change in condition of patient etc. Focus is on the monthly ordering process rather than individual medication review

Aims of our project include:

• Use the SusQI framework to measure environmental, social and financial costs of medicines waste.
• Generate innovative and implementable solutions, in line with CQC environmental sustainability expectations and NHS net zero targets, that inspire action across the system.
• Test solutions and measure impacts across the interface using SusQI methodology.
• Generate key recommendations and education resources for the efficient and sustainable management of medicines in care homes.

The literature on medicines waste in care homes focuses mainly on cost and volume of medicines. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has experience in or has suggestions on exploring the environmental impacts (carbon footprint of meds, pharmaceutical pollution, plastic pollution from packaging) and/or the social impacts (staff time on both the ordering process and the waste management process). 

Many thanks

Nuala