Medicines account for around a quarter of the NHS carbon footprint. In this episode, Charlotte talks to a GP, a pharmacy technician, and a sustainability lead about three projects underway at Frome Medical Practice that are improving patient care, reducing unnecessary prescribing, and cutting the environmental cost of medication at the same time.

Guests

Dr Georgie Kirby – GP, Frome Medical Practice. Georgie leads the Choosing Wisely project, focusing on long-term pain management and reducing reliance on opiates and gabapentinoids that are no longer in NICE guidelines. She also covers the practice's successful switch from pressurised metered-dose inhalers to dry powder alternatives, reducing the carbon footprint of a single inhaler from the equivalent of a London to Sheffield car journey to roughly four miles.

Laura – Pharmacy Technician, Frome Medical Practice. Laura leads the Only Order What You Need project, which has saved the practice £266,000 and 41,000kg of CO2 in a single year simply by encouraging patients to order repeat prescriptions monthly rather than in bulk. She also runs medication reviews for patients on antidepressants and HRT, supporting those who want to reduce or come off medication with care and proper follow-up.

Dan – Project Sustainability and Variation Lead, Green & Healthy Frome. Dan tracks the environmental data behind the practice's prescribing work, including medication entering waterways, improper disposal, and the carbon cost of pharmaceutical production.