European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PROPER DISPOSAL OF EXPIRED AND UNUSED DRUGS - A GLOBAL OVERVIEW

Thirumalai R.*, Abinaya M., Jothimanivannan C., Chithartha M., Ranish G. and Arun Kumar K.

ABSTRACT

A proper drug disposal is required for unused drugs that remain after the end of the medical treatment and expired
drugs in hospital, wholesale and retail pharmacy, industry and homes because improper drug disposal leads off
environmental contamination, risks to human health, medication fish down toilets or thrown in the trash that can
contaminate the water source, affecting the aquatic life and accidental ingestion by children or pets. In India,
knowledge and awareness about current Good Drug disposal practices are lacking among the general public.
These practices need to be improved in order to protect the environment. This paper reviews the guidelines for
proper drug disposal methods given by World Health Organization, expired drug collection methods from people
and importance of drug disposal. This paper further explains the effects of improper drug disposal, some flaws of
drug disposal in our country, laws of drug disposal and their future aspects for the regulation of drug disposal.

Keywords: Drug disposal, environmental contamination, WHO guidelines, disposal practices.