Aims and objectives Prescription medicines that are returned unused to pharmacies in the United Kingdom (UK) cannot be supplied (or redistributed) to other patients. The aim of the study was to investigate whether or not consensus could be achieved between pharmacists on the barriers and potential solutions they perceive towards the redistribution of returned medicines. Methods A two‐round electronic modified Delphi study was employed. Statements were generated following qualitative interviews (n = 29) with doctors, nurses and pharmacists from primary and secondary care from one Health Board (HB) in South East Wales. The Delphi panel were asked to rate the degree to which they agreed (or disagreed) with each statement. The panel was recruited via an email invitation forwarded to all hospital (n = 70), primary care (n = 11) and community pharmacists (n = 77) from one HB in South East Wales. Key findings Two rounds of Delphi were completed by 17 pharmacists. Consensus was achieved for seven (n = 26) ‘barrier’ and seven (n = 16) ‘solution’ statements. From the statements which achieved consensus, it was identified that the following criteria would need to be met for pharmacists to potentially accept the redistribution of medicines in solid dosage forms (tablets and capsules): protection for pharmacists; guidance from the professional regulator; tamper evident seals; ‘as new’ packaging; technologies to indicate inappropriate storage and public engagement. Conclusions This study suggests that pharmacists would potentially be willing to redistribute medicines in solid dosage forms if certain criteria are met.

This study investigates public attitudes towards medicinal waste and medicines reuse within a ‘free prescription’ healthcare system. A quantitative online survey was employed in a sample drawn from the population of Wales, where prescription medicines have been ‘free’ since 2007. Qualitative interviews informed the content of the attitude statements with categorical or ordinal response options assigned. The questionnaire was hosted on the HealthWise Wales platform for 1 year from October 2017. Of the 5584 respondents, 67.2% had at least one medicine on repeat prescription. Overall, 89.1% held strong concerns about medicinal waste. High acceptance for the reuse of prescription medicines which have been returned unused by patients to pharmacies was reported for tablets (78.7%) and capsules (75.1%) if the medicine is checked by a pharmacist first (92.4% rated essential). Concerns identified related to tampering of packs (69.2%) and the need for hygienic storage (65.4%). However, those working in healthcare had less concern about the safety of reusing medicines. The level of public acceptance for the reuse of medication was higher than previously reported. This is the largest survey to capture these views to date, which has implications for the future design of medicines reuse schemes.

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