The money would pay for 400 hip replacements, 280 heart bypass operations or 60 more community nurses.

It is the equivalent of 2,800 cataract operations or 360 knee replacements.

Now a campaign is being launched to cut unused medication in a bid to save that money.

Julie Landale, Calderdale Primary Care Trust's head of medicine management, said: "Wasted medicine means wasted money.

"It can't be used again and if we could save some of that money we could reinvest it in other areas of health care to benefit the local community."

The figure has been worked out from a five-pharmacy study carried out over three weeks.

The campaign, which sees the trust's staff teaming up with GPs and pharmacists, will see people on repeat prescriptions reminded to order only what they need and not "stockpile" drugs. Patients will also be urged to review their medicines with their pharmacist or doctor.

And people will be reminded of the danger of unused medication lying around at home.

The trust hopes to ensure patients are getting the medication they need, unwanted drugs are disposed of safely and money is saved so it can be spent elsewhere in Calderdale on health care.

David Wilkinson, community pharmacist at Heath Pharmacy in Savile Park, Halifax, said: "There are a number of reasons why medicines are going to waste, including no longer needing the drugs. But others may also be put at risk if unwanted drugs are left in the home.

"If anyone has any unused medicine we're encouraging them to take them back to the pharmacy for safe disposal and have a chat with the pharmacist or GP about their medication and how to use it more effectively."

Thousands of posters and leaflets have been distributed to surgeries and pharmacies. Inserts have also been produced to go into prescription bags in pharmacies.

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