Unused Medicines & Drugs
Recyclable?
Blue Bins & Chutes
Other Recycling
Recommended
Trash
DO NOT flush drugs and meds down the toilet. Pack them into a trash bag and dispose of them in the rubbish chute or bin.
Blister packs should be trashed too. See here.
Prescription medicines are controlled drugs and are subject to legal controls.
Any unused controlled drugs should be disposed of and not given away. See the guidance from the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore summarised in the infographic below.
You can dispose of it yourself in the trash or by returning it to a pharmacy that will dispose of it for you. When you return it to a pharmacy it will not be reused. It will be destroyed.
Alternative
Tips & Suggestions
Donation and giving away certain types of drugs may be illegal. Be careful about online requests for drug donations.
Strictly speaking, under the law, the following drugs should be returned to a pharmacy:
- anti-cancer medicine,
- antibiotics,
- vaccines,
- medicines that can be misused (per the Misuse of Drugs Act).
Info & Insights
Over the Counter?
Over-the-counter drugs which are not expired and have been stored safely can be given away however, if in any doubt, it is safer just to throw them in the trash. Definitely do NOT give away any drugs where the package has already been opened.
When in doubt, ask your pharmacist.
Can I take drugs after they have expired?
There have been a number of studies on this and the answer is: it depends. Some tested medications remain at near full strength years after the expiry date and some find their potency highly impaired. Liquid drugs in particular do not last long including epi-pens.
Here is an article from Harvard Health that may help you understand this topic better. Please don't take random advice on this from internet strangers. Talk to your doctor.
