Expired medicines: A public health and environmental issue we can solve together

Every year, millions of Filipino households accumulate expired medicines such as forgotten pain relievers, half-used bottles of children’s vitamins, or leftover antibiotics.

- MEDICINE CABINET TEODORO B. PADILLA

While these items may seem harmless, their improper disposal poses real risks to public health, community safety, and the environment.

According to Josefino Tapia, Vice-President for Operations of Zuellig Pharma, expired or unused medicines should never be flushed down the toilet, thrown directly into household trash, or burned unless no other safe disposal options are available. These common but harmful practices can lead to long-term environmental damage and unsafe community conditions.

Flushing medications into the sewage system can contaminate waterways, harm aquatic life, and jeopardize drinking water quality. Unlike the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Philippine FDA does not maintain a “flush list” of medicines allowed for toilet disposal. This is because wastewater treatment systems in the Philippines are not designed to filter out pharmaceutical compounds, allowing residues to enter rivers, lakes, and marine ecosystems. Over time, these substances can accumulate in the food chain, threatening biodiversity and potentially affecting human health.

Throwing medications into the trash also carries risks. Discarded medicines, especially controlled substances, may be retrieved and misused, contributing to substance abuse in both urban and rural communities. Meanwhile, burning expired medications with household waste can release toxic fumes and violates environmental regulations.