Concern over the disposal of medicines
AROUND a third of unused medicines are flushed down the toilet or thrown in bins, according to the Irish Pharmacy Union.
Alarmed pharmacists are calling for a national scheme to allow people to dispose of medication safely.
IPU Vice-president Eoghan Hanly said yesterday: “There are real and significant risks to health and the environment from improperly disposing of medicines.
“Whether this is in bins or by flushing down sinks or toilets you are risking contaminating water systems and damaging biodiversity.”