A Bradford woman has found an 80-year-old ointment that is believed to be the oldest medicine in the district.

Christine Willan found the medication during Lloyds pharmacy’s hunt for the oldest medicine in the UK.

The 63-year-old has been given a prize of £100 worth of pharmacy vouchers.

The initiative was part of a medicines amnesty scheme to encourage customers to dispose of expired and unused medicines safely in their local Lloyds pharmacy.

The annual cost to the NHS in unused medicines in the UK is around £396million, enough to pay for approximately 120 cancer units.

It is not just the waste of money that is a concern. Many medicines become ineffective when they pass their expiry date, which can be a risk to health. They can also cause harm if they are taken by someone they were not intended for.

Mrs Willan handed in a tube of household ointment from the 1930s, along with a range of other medicines.

She said: “I used to run antique fairs so I always hold on to things which might be of interest. I don’t like to throw things away but when I heard about the hunt I thought I would take part. I’m glad I did!”

Stephen Polley, pharmacist at the Lloyds pharmacy on Proctor Street, Bradford, said: “It’s fascinating to see these old packets and bottles from bygone eras.

“However, the response we’ve had to the medicines amnesty highlights just how many of us aren’t regularly clearing out our medicine cabinets.

“We continue to dispose of expired medicines safely for customers so if you have any lurking at the back of your cupboards, please bring them in.”

  • Read the full story in Tuesday's T&A