Patients are being targeted in a campaign aimed at cutting the NHS drugs bill in the Scottish Highlands.

Millions of pounds are wasted on unused prescribed drugs every year by people north of the border.

Now doctors and pharmacists in the Highlands are backing a local health authority campaign to cut down on the wastage.

GPs and pharmacists backed the initiative

It is hoped other areas of the country will follow suit.

Official figures have suggested that almost 50,000 kilograms of unused prescription drugs are incinerated every year.

The cost of this wastage is estimated at �15m.

Pharmacists and GPs say that this figure is just the tip of the iceberg.

They are backing an NHS Highland campaign to reduce its prescribed drugs bill.

The prescribing of generic rather than expensive brand-named drugs is one initiative being encouraged.

Patients are also being urged to avoid stockpiling when ordering repeat prescriptions and to consider purchasing over the counter remedies for shorter illnesses.