Suzanne Crowe: Extra charges for pharmacy blister packs will hit the most vulnerable in our communities

"Older people and disability organisations have voiced concerns over this harmful measure which could reduce medication safety"

"My grandmother kept a heavy, mahogany armoire in the back sitting room. Inside this impressive cupboard was an enormous collection of medications."

"Neither doctor nor pharmacist, she kept years of prescription medicines, just in case. The last three antibiotic capsules that someone forgot to take, or the blood pressure tablets that a family member stopped taking because they didn't suit them."

Older people and disability organisations express alarm that a proposed measure could reduce medication safety. An individual kept a heavy mahogany armoire filled with an enormous collection of medications in a back sitting room. The collection contained years of prescription medicines retained for potential future use. Leftover items included the last three antibiotic capsules someone forgot to take and blood pressure tablets that a family member stopped because they did not suit them. Accumulation of such medications demonstrates how leftover prescriptions can persist in households and create potential safety and misuse risks.

Read at Independent