Since I launched this petition I have learnt so much, Apart from prescription medicines, other NHS equipment like mobility aids etc are also wasted in huge amounts. I have therefore amended my petition further to include NHS equipment. Such items have no 'use by' date and could certainly be sterilised and donated to charities that serve needy countries. I am also collecting signatures on paper due to the volume of people who do not wish to sign on line for various personal reasons. When numbers are up to a reasonable amount I will submit both the paper signatures and the on line signatures to the Department of Health and request them to take some action. In the meantime one easy step we could all take would be to check the bag of medicine the Chemist gives you before you leave the shop. If they have dispensed any items in error, and you hand them back before you leave the shop, I am informed that they can be put back on the shelf. Small steps can be very effective.