Unwanted and out-of-date medicines
Why medicines should not go in the bin or down the toilet, and how to return them to a pharmacy.
Return them to a pharmacy
Community pharmacies take back unwanted medicines from households for safe disposal. You can usually just hand them over at the counter. Ask first about anything unusual.
Not the toilet or sink
Medicines flushed or poured away can end up in rivers and the sea. In the general rubbish, they can be found by children or animals.
What to do with the packaging
You can usually leave tablets in their blister packs and bring the boxes along. Remove or black out your name and address on labels if you want to. Empty cardboard boxes can usually go in your recycling.
Needles and injectors
Needles and pen injectors need a sharps bin. See our sharps guide.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
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