The surgery is also backing Somerset’s Show me your meds, external campaign, which is also having a big impact.
Every day, a car boot full of medicine is brought to Frome Medical Centre under the scheme, which encourages patients to return unused medicines.
The practice said the reduction in overprescribing had saved 122 tonnes of CO₂ emissions – the equivalent of driving 301,980 miles (485,989km).
“Previously, you may have had third parties requesting medications on patients’ behalf,” said Bhagi.
“We worked very closely with our local pharmacies and our patient groups to enable our patients to request medications they need and they actually use, and this has highlighted various aspects around safety.
“So, for example, if a patient is overdosing on items like an inhaler, which we found, then it gives us the opportunity to speak to the patient as to why that may be the case,” added Bhagi.