Medicines

How to dispose of expired medicine.

Recommended answerMedicine take-back is the preferred route where available.

Recommended route

Use a pharmacy, authorised take-back or local household medicine programme.

Before disposal or return

  1. Keep medicines in original packaging when possible.
  2. Remove personal information from labels.

Do not

Do not flush medicine unless the official product guidance specifically directs it.

Reference sources

Checked 2026-08-16