← All Posts


Correct Disposal of Unused Medication

unused medication x1
Unused medication is classified as pharmaceutical waste. It requires proper disposal to minimize potential hazards to people and the environment. Medicines that are leftover or expired are often thrown away in the regular trash or flushed down the toilet. This means that they can leech into the water or contaminate the food supply. Drugs left lying around the house or unused at a medical practice can be taken incorrectly by people or ingested by children.

If patients are educated and counselled about safely disposing of unused meds, especially opioids, they are more likely to dispose of them properly. Given the opioid crisis, physicians need to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions given too. The FDA is working to increase awareness of safe opioid disposal. They’ve launched a campaign this year to this effect called “Remove the Risk.” The campaign is mainly aimed at adult women because they’re generally the main healthcare decision makers at home and the ones who often oversee prescription medications for the family.

Research shows that over 90% of people don’t finish their prescribed opioid painkillers but keep them at home for another occasion. People are being encouraged to dispose of unused medication at special collection sites.