New research on the prescription medicine contamination of fish, ecosystem
The development and advancements of medications have provided endless benefits to people across the world, curing ailments, delivering relief and even prolonging life. However, medications for people were developed for just that – people. When animals such as fish or birds ingest them, things can go wrong. Very wrong. We’ve known this for some time, […]
20% Increase in Collections Following Brown Paper Bag Program
Last year, 34 pharmacies in the Mackellar electorate, in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, participated in the Brown Bag Medicine Program. The program was facilitated by local member Jason Falinski MP and local pharmacist Warwick Plunkett AM, with the goal of raising awareness of the National Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) project. Each of the pharmacies […]
Reported Rejection of Medicines by Pharmacies
The National Return of Unwanted Medicines project has reported that there are some pharmacies who have not accepted returns of medicines from the public during the declared COVID-19 pandemic. There are no restrictions on pharmacies being able to receive returned medicines that are unwanted or expired for disposal in the RUM bins – and pharmacies […]
Returning Unwanted Medicines – A COVID-19 Update
The RUM bin service will continue to operate within current Australian Government guidelines with bins delivered by wholesalers to community pharmacies as they previously have. From the end of March, pharmacies have started to see a new RUM bin arrive at their pharmacy. The new one-way RUM bin has been designed to encourage the recycling […]
Research discovers multiple contaminants in surface waters across Australia
Research conducted by environmental research students has found pharmaceuticals, personal care products, food additives and pesticides present in the surface waters of the Brisbane River, Sydney Harbour and Melbourne’s Yarra River. The results were discovered by research students at The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, and the Queensland University of Technology, led by […]
New One-Way Entry RUM bin to be rolled out to all pharmacies across Australia
A brand new bin for the return of unwanted and expired medicines will be rolling out to all community pharmacies nation-wide this month. The newly designed bin will improve consumer and pharmacist safety, with the addition of a more secure lid with a one-way entry point for medicines. The new bin has been designed with increased […]
COVID-19 Update for Pharmacies
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we are faced with and are preparing for evolving circumstances. The Australian government announced on Sunday that all non-essential services would be closed from midday today across the country, including pubs, clubs, and gyms. Essential services including pharmacies, supermarkets, banks and logistics will, however, continue to operate. The […]
Pilot Test for New Bin Launched in Victoria
A new RUM bin has been launched as part of a pilot test to a group of 50 pharmacies across Victoria. The pilot aims to ensure that the bins remain as convenient as possible for pharmacists and those transporting the bin. Upon successful completion of the pilot in a few weeks time, the new bin […]
10,000,000kgs of Unwanted Medicine Collected on 21st Anniversary of RUM Project
This month marks the 21st Anniversary of the Return of Unwanted Medicines Project. During this time, the project has worked with thousands of community pharmacies and all wholesalers Australia-wide to collect unwanted or expired medicine and transported them to EPA-approved incinerators to have them safely disposed of. Since the inception of the project in 1998, […]
Drugs found in waterways discovered to be changing fish behaviour
The Return of Unwanted Medicines Project is a free service that offers a way to dispose of unwanted or expired medicines safely and conveniently at your local community pharmacy. Find out more about the service here.Recent research conducted by Monash University has found that traces of antidepressants and other psychoactive drugs found in water environments have […]
Search for Australia’s oldest medicine reveals Australia’s past
The RUM project recently teamed up with the Australian Journal of Pharmacy to search for Australia’s oldest medicine and encourage pharmacy participation in the program. The four pharmacies around the country were responsible for collecting some of the oldest medicines, each being rewarded with one registration to the APP 2018 conference worth $780 each. The […]
The Search To Find Australia’s Oldest Medicine
Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) collaborated with Mum Central in search of Australia’s oldest medicine earlier this year and saw 990 people enter from all over Australia go in the draw for their chance to win a share of $1500. The competition aimed to raise awareness about the importance of cleaning out your medicine cabinet, especially […]
WIN with RUM and Mum Central!
To encourage everyone to READ, REMOVE and RETURN their unwanted medicines to their local pharmacy, Return Unwanted Medicines and Mum Central are giving away $3,000 in EFTPOS gift cards! Cleaning out your home medicine areas only takes a small amount of time and comes with BIG rewards! Here’s a few reasons to motivate you… Getting […]
Millions of Old Meds in Aussie Homes Pose Health Hazard
New campaign urges Aussies to return unwanted medicines to pharmacy To educate Australians of the dangers associated with storing expired and unwanted medicines in their home and drive awareness of how to dispose of medicines responsibly, Return Unwanted Medicines has partnered with Channel 7 Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr in a new campaign. “It is estimated […]