One in 10 people do not have basic items, such as paracetamol or plasters, in their medicines cabinets and one in four have medicine in their cabinet that is out of date, according to research commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare.
The survey, in which 500 adults were questioned, also showed that seven out of 10 people did not know how to dispose of out of date medicines correctly.
The research also revealed that nearly two thirds of GPs (100 were questioned) thought that having a well stocked medicines cabinet would reduce unnecessary visits to the doctor and that more than nine in 10 GPs agreed that the public should seek simple medical advice from pharmacists rather than waste GPs' time.
Norwich Union Healthcare has produced a "Family Pharmacy" guide that details a list of suggested items to have in the home and what they can be used for. Sample leaflets can be obtained from the Norwich Union Healthcare hotline on 0800 0563204.