Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the disposal of medication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11978/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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There is no national scheme in place currently for people to return out of date or unused medicines for disposal. However, many community pharmacies do accept unused and out of date medication for disposal. The HSE has, from time to time, run campaigns in conjunction with community pharmacies, in some areas of the country, to make provision for the disposal of such medicines.

The Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses Regulations 2008 set out the standards applicable to the operation of community pharmacies. Under these Regulations, persons operating registered pharmacies may accept patient-returned medicines for disposal. Pharmacy owners are required to ensure that when disposing of medicines, they must do so in a manner that will not result in a danger to public health or a risk to the environment.

In May 2011, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland issued detailed guidance on the sourcing, storage and disposal of medicines within registered pharmacies. These guidelines set out how patient-returned medicines are to be managed by pharmacies to ensure that returned medicines are never re-used and are disposed of in an appropriate timeframe.