Safe disposal of unwanted medicines
If you have unused or expired prescription medicines or medicines that you bought over the counter, simply bring them to the pharmacy for safe disposal. This is a free service available to the public. It is not safe to put unwanted or expired medicines in household bins.
Stockpiling of Medicines
Any medicine you return to the pharmacy cannot be used again. It’s therefore very important that you don’t stockpile medication at home and only request medication that you need. Stockpiling is dangerous because of the possibility of mixing up new and old medicines, and it also poses a safety risk to children and others who might accidentally take them. Every year, over £300 million of NHS money is wasted on unused prescription medicines.
Safe Disposal of Medicines
Each year, large quantities of unused and expired medications are thrown into bins or flushed down toilets and sinks. The effects on the environment and human health are unclear, but evidence suggests the presence of chemicals from prescription and over-the-counter medications in soil, drinking water, and the surrounding environment. It’s very important that you return unwanted medicines to a local pharmacy for safe disposal.
Speak to a member of our staff if you have any questions about disposing of unwanted medicines.