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Shropshire residents are being urged to start the new year by clearing their home of an any unused and out of date medicines.
The appeal comes as many people across the county turn their attention to the post-Christmas declutter of their homes.
Superintendent pharmacist Ian Swindell of family-owned Lunts Pharmacies, which has premises in Shrewsbury, Craven Arms and Pontesbury, said: “January is often a time when people make a start on decluttering their home and getting rid of  unwanted clothes, toys or other household items to free up some space for all their new Christmas goodies.
“While they’re at it we would also urge them to take a look inside their medicine cupboard and have a good clear out.
“It’s amazing how many people hoard medicines they no longer require or ones which are out of date.
“Having too many medicines in the home can be confusing and harmful if either the wrong or out of date medicines are taken accidentally.
“Further problems may also arise if medicines are found by small children or pets.”
“The same goes for those which are out of date.”
It is understood that in Shropshire alone hundreds of thousands of pounds a year is wasted on unused and out of date medicines but Mr Swindell said they can do more harm than good if left in the home.
“Our philosophy is ‘if in doubt clear it out’ and we would urge everyone to have a good sort through their medicines to kickstart the new year and on a regular basis thereafter,” he said.
“If you have medicines at home and you don’t know what they are or what they were prescribed for then discard them.
“Patients should return any medicines to the pharmacy they got them from where they will be disposed of and destroyed in the correct way.
“Don’t put them in the bin or flush them down the toilet.
“Unfortunately pharmacies will not accept needles but these can be returned to GP surgeries.
“If patients are unsure about any of their medicines then they can take them all to their local pharmacy where a pharmacist will be able to explain what they are for.
“At all of our pharmacies we also offer a medicine use review service which enables patients to discuss the medications they are taking and any problems they may have.”
Lunts Pharmacies has been serving Shropshire communities for more than 40 years. For more information on the services it offers visit https://lunts.net/.