How to dispose of expired or surplus medication

Pharmaceutical waste products that are found in municipal wastewater poses a significant risk to public health, warned Professor Renier Coetzee, deputy president of the South African Pharmacy Association and an Associate Professor at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) School of Public Health.

He said, in a statement shared by UWC, that by raising awareness and promoting proper disposal methods, “we can protect our environment, safeguard public health, and combat the threat of antibiotic resistance.”

He suggested that to mitigate these risks, it is important to return the waste products to the pharmacies instead of flushing medications down toilets or sinks.

“The improper disposal of antibiotics poses a serious threat. Antimicrobials from human and veterinary medicine can enter waterways through pharmaceutical manufacturing, agricultural run-offs, and the disposal of leftover medicines.

“In oceans and rivers, even low levels of antibiotics can promote the development of antimicrobial-resistant genes, which can spread across species and ecosystems. Given the interconnectedness of our food chain, this cycle makes it harder to treat bacterial infections, leading to increased antibiotic use, further exacerbating the problem,” said Prof Coetzee.

Pharmacies are required by law to take back expired or unused medications and this is the only recommended method of disposal in South Africa, according to UWC spokesperson, Harriet Box, and that was confirmed by the City of Cape Town website.