July 11, 2019
What happens to my medicine once it’s dropped off at the pharmacy?
A question we get asked a lot is about what happens to any expired or unwanted medicine once it has been dropped off at the local pharmacy.
When you take your medicine out of the packaging and drop it off at your pharmacist’s counter, your pharmacist will place the unwanted or expired medicine directly into a secure RUM (Return of Unwanted Medicine) bin.
All full RUM bins are securely transported to an EPA accredited high-temperature incineration facility where the sealed RUM bin is destroyed, ensuring that no traces of any medicine remain. The EPA-approved incinerators are the most efficient and environmentally-friendly option for removing unwanted or expired medicines from the community.
To find out more, you can contact us via our website or speak to your local pharmacist.
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.