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As community pharmacists, we at Budget Pharmacy often receive questions about how to properly dispose of expired medications.

When in doubt, follow these steps to safely and conveniently dispose of expired or unused medications:

Return Medications to Your Pharmacist

Expired or unused prescription medications can be dangerous if left in medicine cabinets or forgotten in storage. This increases the risk of misuse, accidental ingestion, or harm.

To safely dispose of medications, check your medicine cabinet for expired or unused prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and natural health products. If you are unsure whether a medication is still safe to use, consult your pharmacist.

Your local pharmacy offers take-back programs for safe disposal. Simply bring your expired or unused medications to your pharmacist, who will ensure they are disposed of properly.

Do Not Flush Medications

Medications should never be flushed down the toilet or washed down the sink, as this can contaminate water supplies and harm the environment. If you must dispose of medication in the trash, follow these steps:

• Remove the medication from its original container and scratch out any personal information on the label to protect your privacy.
• Mix the medication with an unappealing substance, such as coffee grounds or kitty litter, to deter accidental ingestion.
• Place the mixture in a sealed bag, can, or other secure container before disposing of it in the trash to prevent leaks.

Why Proper Medication Disposal Matters

Improperly discarded medications can pose risks to human health, animals, and the environment. Trace amounts of medications have been detected in soil and water, and while concentrations may be low, they have the potential to cause harm over time.

By properly disposing of expired medications, you help protect your community and reduce environmental impact.

Learn More About Safe Disposal