If you have unused or expired medicines you can bring them into Periville Pharmacy for safe disposal.
Pharmacy unwanted medicines disposal is a free service available to the public. You can drop off any prescription medicines or medicines that you bought over the counter and it will be disposed of safely.
It is not safe to put unwanted/expired medicine in domestic bins.
There are several reasons why unwanted medicine disposal shouldn’t happen in a domestic setting.
Firstly, the drug itself may pose a risk to the environment should it end up in a landfill:
Each year, large quantities of unused and expired medications are dumped into bins or flushed down toilets and sinks. The effects on the environment and human health are unclear but the evidence is pointing to the presence of chemicals from prescriptions and over-the-counter medications in the soil, drinking water and the surrounding environment.
Secondly, drugs may potentially get misused, whether that’s in the form of drug abuse or a toddler accidentally rummaging in the rubbish. Your medicines cabinet is safe whereas a black bin bag isn’t.
But likewise keeping old or expired medicines also poses a risk of taking the wrong drug. This is especially risky for older people whose eyesight may be poor.
Every year the NHS wastes over £300 million on unused prescription medicines. This is when people request medication they don’t need and end up with a stockpile of medication.
Stockpiling is also dangerous as there is a possibility of mixing your new medicines with your old ones and it is also a safety risk to children and others who might take them.
A pharmacy cannot reuse any medicine you return.
Some medicines will go back to the pharmaceutical manufacturing company for disposal. Otherwise, the drugs will go to specialist waste management companies.
So, it is very important that you return medicines to a local pharmacy for safe disposal.
Simply bring your expired or unused medicines into one of Periville Pharmacy branches across Grimsby and hand them over the counter to a member of staff.
Speak to a member of staff, or get in touch, if you have any questions about the disposal of unwanted medicines.
Periville have been a lifeline to me, always helpful and very knowledgeable.
The delivery service operated by Periville is second to none reliable, prompt and efficient.
The staff at Periville are always able to offer sound advice on any problems.
