If you have unwanted or out-of-date medications that you’re looking to dispose of, it’s important to follow the guidelines in order to ensure you’re disposing of them safely and responsibly.
Currently in the UK, it is thought that £300m worth of medication is unused each year. Around £100m worth of medication is returned to pharmacies annually, but research indicates that £90m worth is currently being stored in homes all around the country.
Why disposing of unwanted medications properly is important
Flushing unwanted medication down the toilet can cause contamination issues that may harm wildlife and affect water supplies. Additionally, holding onto unwanted or expired medication can cause harm to others, as they may accidentally take medication that hasn’t been prescribed for them.
Return medication to your local pharmacy
Community pharmacies in the UK are obliged to accept unwanted medications handed over to them by patients. NHS England works with pharmacies to collect and properly dispose of all waste medications that have been handed in by patients.
Healthcare professionals undertake regular training in the safe handling of medication, such as that seen on the websites of specialist training providers like https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/health-and-social-care-courses/safe-handling-of-medication-training/. This means that you can feel assured that all medication you hand in will be handled appropriately.
What not to do with unwanted medications
Don’t throw medication away in your household waste, as this could lead to it being found by people it’s not intended for. Similarly, avoid flushing medication away or pouring liquids down the sink, as this could cause issues to local wildlife, water supplies and the environment.
