Everyday items
What should I do with expired or unwanted medicine?
Use an authorised medicine take-back, pharmacy return or local household-medication programme where available. Do not put medicines into recycling.
Complete answer
The answer
Medicine disposal rules vary. A take-back route reduces the risk of accidental ingestion and limits release of pharmaceutical substances into the environment. Do not flush medicines unless the competent health or waste authority specifically instructs that for a particular product.
Keep medicines secure until return, and protect personal information on prescription labels before discarding packaging. Sharps and injection devices usually require a separate sharps route.
What to do
- Use an authorised medicine-return route.
- Keep medicines secure until handover.
- Handle sharps separately and protect personal information.
Related WasteSpot resources
These links are optional follow-up resources. The complete answer is provided above.
Continue browsing