Why does so much medicine end up going to waste?

Unused or expired medications often end up in household rubbish, creating risks to public health and the environment. Proper disposal through designated collection points is a safer alternative.

In England, around 3,400 tonnes of partially used medicines were discarded in 2024-25, enough to fill about 75 swimming pools. This waste costs the National Health Service at least £480 million annually.

Repeated prescriptions and long-term conditions are contributing factors. People on multiple medications may obtain several medications regularly, even as doses change or treatments are discontinued. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is advocating for more frequent reviews for these patients and discouraging automatic reordering of everything on a repeat prescription.

It's recommended to check one's medicine cabinet before purchasing more. Medication reviews can help determine if each drug is still necessary, being taken correctly, or needs adjustment. Unused antibiotics, in particular, should not be kept for future use, as misuse can lead to antimicrobial resistance.

To reduce medicine waste, Malaysians should not flush unused medicines or dispose of them in household rubbish. Instead, they can utilize dedicated return programs. The DROP campaign in Kuala Lumpur and Peninsular Malaysia has 100 collection points where unwanted medicines can be dropped off, ensuring proper handling. The health ministry's MyMediSAFE initiative also provides avenues for safe disposal through healthcare facilities and pharmacies.