When you’ve finished a medication, it’s common to find some still left in the tube. Or when a medicine goes past its use-by date, you’ll want to dispose of it. But how can you do so safely? Here’s what you need to know.
Check that you’re storing your medications safely
It’s essential to stay on top of safe handling of medication with learning opportunities such as https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/health-and-social-care-courses/safe-handling-of-medication-training/. In this training, you learn how to store medication safely, for how long, and how to dispose of it.
Disposal tips
Refer to the medication paperwork for guidance on safe disposal. Usually, this will mean taking the medication to the pharmacist, where they can dispose of it for you. Don’t pour medications down the sink as they can be harmful to the environment. Don’t put them in the bin either, as small children might find them.
Can you recycle unwanted medications?
No, it’s not possible to recycle unwanted medications in your own domestic recycling bins. Your pharmacy is the right place to hand old medications to, as they will know exactly how to dispose of them safely.
Get into the habit of auditing medications
The best way to handle this process is to do a full audit of your medications and take any that have expired to your pharmacy in one trip. This helps you keep on top of your medications, avoids you taking expired medications, and allows the pharmacist to dispose of them effectively and without danger to human life or the environment.
Why not do a full medication review at home today?