Turn waste into responsibility: return your medicines to the chemist’s
Have you ever thought about what happens when you throw medicines in the regular trash or flush them down the toilet? It might seem harmless, but the impact is devastating. Soil and water contamination, threats to aquatic life, and rising antibiotic resistance are just a few of the consequences. The solution? Take your medicines and empty packaging to a pharmacy, where VALORMED ensures proper waste treatment. Find out all the details in this article!
The danger of improperly discarded medications
Many people are unaware of the consequences of throwing expired medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet. In fact, this practice can have very negative effects:
- Water contamination: Pharmaceutical residues entering the sewage system are not fully eliminated at water treatment plants. Studies indicate that antibiotics, painkillers, and hormones have been detected in rivers, lakes, and even in drinking water.
- Impact on aquatic life: Fish and other aquatic organisms absorb these compounds, leading to hormonal changes and reproductive problems. Fish exhibiting intersex characteristics have been found due to the presence of estrogens in the water.
- Antimicrobial resistance: Continuous exposure to improperly discarded antibiotics contributes to the development of resistant bacteria, making infections more difficult to treat.
- Accidental poisoning: Children and pets may ingest medications discarded in the trash, with potentially fatal consequences.
The good news? All of this can be avoided with a simple gesture: handing over the medicines and empty packaging at the pharmacy.
What is VALORMED?
VALORMED is the entity responsible for the collection and processing of pharmaceutical waste and packaging. Established in 1999, this non-profit organization plays a key role in the sustainability of the pharmaceutical sector.
Thus, VALORMED’s objective is to ensure that waste is managed safely, preventing it from contaminating the environment or posing risks to public health. You can learn more about Valormed here.
How does VALORMED work?
The management of pharmaceutical waste through VALORMED follows a rigorous process:
- Drop-off at pharmacies: Users deposit waste in the VALORMED containers available at participating pharmacies.
- Safe storage: Pharmacies store the waste until it is collected.
- Transport to treatment centers: The waste is taken to specialized facilities, where it is sorted and separated.
- Final destination: Depending on the type of waste, it may be recycled, incinerated, or sent to landfills properly prepared for hazardous waste.
Farmácias Correia Rosa is an authorized VALORMED collection point in Caldas da Rainha. Be part of the solution and bring your waste in for proper disposal!
What can and cannot be put in the VALORMED container?
It is essential to know which waste items should be placed in the VALORMED bin. Consult the table below:
If you have questions about the disposal of other types of waste, ask at your pharmacy.
Practical tips for managing medications at home
To avoid waste and the risk of accumulating expired medications, follow these recommendations:
- Check your medicine cabinet regularly. Check expiration dates and set aside the ones you no longer use. Do you usually reorganize your home and garden when spring arrives? You can take this opportunity to review your home medicine cabinet.
- Store medications correctly. Storage conditions are described in the leaflet inside the package. Consult it and follow the instructions.
- Avoid keeping a large stock of medications at home. The current recommendation is to keep only enough medication for a maximum of two months of treatment. This prevents waste in the event of a change in therapy or other adjustments.
- Raise awareness among family and friends. Ideally, everyone should know what to do and how to properly dispose of packaging and unused medications. If you already do this regularly and have family or friends who do not know how to handle this waste, show them the correct procedure.
Frequently asked questions about dropping off unused medications at the pharmacy
Medication ampoules—as well as blister packs, tubes, bottles, etc., whether full, empty, or containing residues—must be deposited in VALORMED containers and never in recycling bins.
Cardboard packaging and the remains of medicines and veterinary products administered to domestic animals may also be dropped off at VALORMED collection points, provided they were purchased at pharmacies.
The materials used for containing and packaging medicines contain residues of substances used in their manufacture; consequently, they harm the environment if disposed of in regular trash.
No, contact lenses cannot be deposited in VALORMED containers.
Only human medicines (whether prescription or non-prescription) and veterinary medicines and products purchased at pharmacies may be deposited in VALORMED containers.
Needles and/or syringes with needles attached must not be placed in VALORMED containers. However, syringes may be deposited provided the needle is removed beforehand.
Failure to do so creates a high risk of needle-stick injuries, compromising the safety of the people who handle the containers throughout the supply chain.
No, they should not be taken to pharmacies, as they are not medicines and, therefore, cannot or should not be placed in VALORMED collection bins.
VALORMED’s management scope covers only packaging and medicines for human or animal use—purchased at pharmacies—that are no longer being used or have expired.
Not all of them, but Correia Rosa Pharmacies are a collection point in Caldas da Rainha.
No, this service is free for users.
How we dispose of medications has a direct impact on our health and the planet. In fact, improper disposal can lead to water and soil contamination, affecting ecosystems and contributing to problems such as antimicrobial resistance.
The solution is within everyone’s reach: dropping off medicines and empty packaging at pharmacies participating in the VALORMED program. This service is available at Correia Rosa Pharmacies so that, together, we can build a more sustainable future. Take care of yourself and the planet—we’re here to help!
