First reported 24 Mar 2020•Latest report 24 Jun 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of controls specifically dedicated to collecting, segregating, documenting, returning or disposing of unwanted, unused, incorrectly dispensed or otherwise unsuitable medication, including clear procedures and staff understanding of the correct disposal route.
Not included
Excludes ordinary medication prescribing, dispensing, administration, reconciliation or monitoring failures where disposal is not the unsafe condition.
Excludes generic clinical-waste disposal failures unless the assertion specifically concerns medication disposal or the medication-disposal route.
Excludes general policy, training or documentation deficiencies that are not directly tied to safe medication collection or disposal.
Excludes medication access, storage or security failures where no collection or disposal control is deficient.
Reports
6
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
6
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2020–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
15
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care4
Burton Croft Surgery1
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust1
Guys Marsh Prison1
HM Prison and Probation Service1
Ministry of Justice1
NHS England1
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust1
Ministerial department4
NHS trust2
Executive agency1
Executive non-departmental public body1
Healthcare site1
Prison or young offender institution1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Dorset
Concerns raised1
Failure to safely dispose of small volumes of medicines in sharps bins
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Address controlled-drug disposal at the national learning event and remind designated bodies of their secure-disposal obligations.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 2 September 2026.
Action
Raise controlled-drug disposal with the Care Quality Commission for inclusion in medicines-governance inspections.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 2 September 2026.
Action
Write to South West controlled-drugs accountable officers about learning on medicine disposal.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 September 2026.
Action
Raise the disposal issue through the national controlled-drugs accountable-officer network and share the learning with regional NHS England colleagues.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 September 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Medicine disposal matters are operational issues outside the Department’s remit.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
NHS England is responsible for addressing the operational concerns, including coordinating the regional response.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Sunderland
Concerns raised1
Lack of a consistently understood procedure for disposing of incorrectly dispensed liquid medication
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Stated by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2025.
Dorset
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure return of excess medication after prescription discontinuation
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Develop and distribute prison health-promotion materials on safe medication storage and disposal of unused or discontinued medication.
Stated by Oxleas NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 July 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
NHS England and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust are responsible for prisoners’ medication management, prescribing and decisions about medication held in possession.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Responsibility for prisoners’ in-possession medication and prescribing lies with NHS England under clinical assurance and national service specifications.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Existing risk assessments, compliance checks and medication procedures provide robust safeguards for in-possession medication governance.
Stated by Oxleas NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Existing local procedures, national standards, contractual monitoring, inspections and regional governance provide sufficient assurance for medicines safety.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
West Yorkshire (Eastern)
Concerns raised1
Failure to advise safe disposal of unwanted propranolol tablets
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.9
Action
Conduct a significant-event review of propranolol prescribing, circulate its learning, and escalate the outcomes to the CCG.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 March 2023.
Action
Update and distribute the locum pack with prescribing and unwanted-medication-return guidance.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 March 2023.
Action
Update the repeat prescribing policy to require checking for unused medication and advising safe pharmacy disposal.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 March 2023.
Action
Embed safe-medication-storage and disposal advice through EMIS coding, clinician reminders, and direct patient-record documentation.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 March 2023.
Action
Publish website guidance asking patients to return unwanted or out-of-date medication to pharmacies.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 March 2023.
Action
Contact local pharmacies to promote return of unused medication and request supporting awareness materials.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 March 2023.
Action
Develop and refine a patient text about medication reviews and returning unused medication.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 March 2023.
Action
Display laminated reception and waiting-room posters asking patients to return unused medication.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 31 March 2023.
Action
Audit use of the safe-medication EMIS code and discuss the findings at a monthly significant-event meeting.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 March 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The Practice cannot amend Ardens depression templates locally because the template system is controlled nationally.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Ardens is responsible for considering and implementing the requested change to the national depression template.
Stated by and the Burton Croft SurgeryRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
North London
Concerns raised1
Lack of a process for collecting and disposing of prescribed controlled medication
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
North London
Concerns raised1
Lack of arrangements or guidance for the collection or disposal of unused end-of-life prescription medication
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing pharmacy return, secure storage, collection, and disposal arrangements provide a safe method for disposing of unwanted medicines.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
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Includes failures of controls specifically dedicated to collecting, segregating, documenting, returning or disposing of unwanted, unused, incorrectly dispensed or otherwise unsuitable medication, including clear procedures and staff understanding of the correct disposal route.
