From NHS
Unwanted medicines: take them back to a pharmacy
Take out of date or unwanted medicines to a pharmacy to be disposed of safely. The NHS says not to put them in the bin or flush them down the toilet.
- Community pharmacies
- Free
Key facts
- You can use any pharmacy, not only the one that gave you the medicine, says NHS South Yorkshire.
- Check your bag before you leave the pharmacy. Medicines handed straight back there can be reused.
- NHS South Yorkshire says medicines flushed or put in bins can pollute rivers and soil.
- Used needles and sharps are different. Some councils collect them.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
Based on NHS' own pages.
Accepted items
- Out of date medicines
- Unwanted medicines
Related item guides
Other kinds of place
Schemes and collection services
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