Donating Unused Tablets

Wings_of_Ambition

I seem to remember hearing somewhere that unused tablets were much needed. Is there somewhere that unused unopened tablets could be donated, or perhaps even sold back to, say, chemists?

mountainofdebt

the safest thing to do with unused medicines is to return them to the chemists for them to dispose of them properly?

cheekymole

I also could have sworn that I had heard of something where they are sent to 3rd world countries as it seems such a shame to bin them when they are so expensive.I asked Boots but they didn't know

digp

try your local PCT / charity

i would advise against selling them, you are bound to fall foul of some prohibition!

Sam_26

Its totally illegal to reuse stock dispensed by the NHS as this has been paid for and should be returned to your local chemist for disposal

bridiej

Sam_26 wrote:

Its totally illegal to reuse stock dispensed by the NHS as this has been paid for and should be returned to your local chemist for disposal

That's what I thought....

cheekymole

but surely, if it has been paid for, why bin it when the 3rd world are crying out for drugs?

Ted_Hutchinson

Ask About Medicines said this could explain why up to £100million of unused medicines were returned to pharmacies every year Around £800million of NHS money is being wasted every year because patients feel uninformed about their medicines.
I was in a similar situation last year when just after I had received a consignment of catheter bags I went into hospital and changed to Intermittent catherisation. So I had a months supply of brand new fully sealed catheter bags and a spare catheter and the nurse made it clear that if I left them at the hospital they would just be consigned to rubbish. It seemed such a dreadful waste that eventually I found someone who knew a way to get surplus medical equipment to Africa but it seemed it was an unofficial arrangement.

Looks like I could have got rid of my spare catheter and surplus leg bags to Intercare.

presenthyme

donating medicines
rules and regs are many, and complex
some good info at http://intercare.org.uk

mitac

unused medicines should always be returned to chemist as they have the proper system for destruction. The waste may seem terrible in in £ terms but when you think a hospital stay is a minimum of £300 per day then medicine waste is not as bad as it looks. To reduce waste in any area of life requires discipline and the co-operation of large and complex systems outside your control. Look how difficult is to be become debt free.
Last time I inquired about these sorts of medicines to be sent to Africa, I was told that African dictators did not like 2nd hand medicines even though the population was in dire need.

Gingham_Ribbon

It would be too easy for drugs to be in the wrong container or mixed up in other ways and for them to be potentially lethal when used incorrectly. I agree it is a crazy set up, but I'd rather see drug companies selling drugs to developing countries for vastly reduced rates than at present, than have people there risk using the wrong drugs because they couldn't be properly regulated.