BETTER PILL

Unwanted medicines and pharmaceuticals place people and the environment at risk, so make sure they get the right treatment, writes

You’ll find them lurking in the back of the medicine cupboard: tablets, liquids, powders and unguents that have done their job, are no longer the right dose or have expired. When the time comes to get rid of them, it’s important for household medicines to be disposed of correctly, says Grace Wong, pharmacist and founder of not-for-profit group Pharmacists for the Environment Australia (PEA). “Pharmaceuticals should never be tossed in the bin, poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet. Whether they end up in our water-supply system or landfill, the result is the same: chemicals are exposed to the environment.”

Potentially, groundwater, drinking water and wildlife can all be adversely affected. The impact of pharmaceuticals on fish populations are a concern, Wong says. “So is the incorrect disposal of antibiotics, which adds to the problem of antibiotic resistance.”

Unwanted medicines and pharmaceuticals should be returned to your local chemist, where they will be collected and sent away for incineration. “We’re extremely fortunate to have a world-leading, government-funded program called Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) in Australia. Every community pharmacy has a RUM bin behind the counter,” Wong explains.

The RUM service is completely free to use and all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal or complementary supplements,

‘PHARMACEUTICALS SHOULD NEVER BE TOSSED IN THE BIN, POURED DOWN THE SINK OR FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET.’ GRACE WONG, PHARMACISTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AUSTRALIA

gels, liquids and creams are accepted. Any leftover medication you might have had for your pet can also be disposed of in a RUM bin.

In 2015-16 Australian pharmacists collected more than 700 tonnes of unwanted medicines through the RUM program. “All of these pharmaceuticals were safely destroyed at EPA-regulated incinerators and prevented from causing the environment harm,” says Wong.

Storing medicines you no longer need can be dangerous, she says. “They may not be effective after their expiry date and, if they are, could be swallowed by young children or pets, or be consumed in confusion by someone taking multiple medicines.”

Avoiding these situations is simple, adds Wong. “Australia’s RUM is an easy-to-access service that not everyone realises is available. If you want to do no harm with your unwanted medications, it’s just a matter of popping in to your local chemist.” #