Sir, – There is increasing awareness about the need to ensure that water quality is not compromised by contaminants. With this in mind, I recently attempted to dispose of expired steroid creams in two pharmacies. In the first instance, the pharmacy would not accept the creams because the bin was full. I did not press the matter. A staff member at the second pharmacy advised that they only accept out-of-date tablets. I was advised to squeeze out the steroid creams and pour them down my sink at home. I protested that this would be highly irresponsible waste management and could cause contamination of water with a risk to human health and marine life. The pharmacist intervened and accepted the creams.
I learned subsequently that it is not mandatory for pharmacists to accept unused and expired medication for disposal. However, I can take back any old electrical equipment item to any electrical retailer for disposal. This system has been in place since 2005.
According to research carried out in 2018 by Initial, a healthcare waste management provider, almost 80 per cent of respondents admitted to dumping their old medication in the bin.
Is it any surprise when there is no legal obligation for pharmacists to take back unused and expired medication? – Yours, etc,
MARK FOX,
Dublin 18.