Hand over expired, unused drugs to DHA pharmacies

Now is the time to clean up your medicine cupboard, say officials while encouraging people to drop expired or unused pills at the health authority’s pharmacies.

Asma Ali Zain

Published: Fri 8 Feb 2013, 9:15 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 8:37 AM

The medicines can be given at the Dubai Health Authority pharmacies located across 16 primary healthcare centres and its hospitals — Dubai, Rashid, Latifa and Hatta.

Safety tips for medication and storage

Keep an updated list of all medicines at home
Ensure that medications are out of reach of children and pets, especially medications that look like water or soft drinks
Never tell your children medicines taste like candy, sweets etc. Let them know from a young age that medications are only consumed to recover from an illness
Always store medicines and vitamins in a locked location — out of reach and sight of children
Resist the temptation to keep them in a purse or briefcase, or in an unlocked cabinet or a drawer that is within your child’s reach
Instead, for convenience, set a daily alarm for yourself so that you take your medicines regularly
It is advisable to take your medicines at the same time daily
Read proper storage instructions for all medications. Some medications need to be kept in the refrigerator. Check to see that medications which need refrigeration are stored in an area where they will NOT freeze. You should store them in a box or container that sets them apart from your food section. Again, ensure this is out of your children’s reach
The kitchen and bathroom are avoidable places to store medicine because of the heat and moisture generated
Store all medicines in one designated location together. The location should be a dry and cool place
Do not share medications prescribed for you with others. Your medicine is ONLY suitable for you

Officials said at the launch of the campaign ‘Clean your medicine cupboard’ on Thursday that expired medicines could become toxic and cause harm to individuals and environment if not disposed of properly.

“Some medicines are explosive while others become toxic after expiry,” said Dr Ali Sayed, Director of Pharmaceutical Services Department at the DHA.

“Even if the medicines are dumped in the sewage, they are still causing harm to the environment. We need to get rid of them in a safe way,” he added.

The authority will dispose of the collected expired medication in line with international pharmaceutical safety guidelines. Unused pills in good condition will be sorted out and donated to charities.

Khalid Al Sheikh Mubarak, Deputy Director-General of the authority, said: “The campaign is being held to ensure people do not store expired medication in their homes as it is a safety hazard. Our aim is to ensure correct method of disposal, which is returning expired or unutilised medication to pharmacies.”

He said the programme was first introduced in June 2012 and the DHA is holding this campaign to remind people and to reinforce this habit. Tonnes of expired medicine were disposed of in coordination with the Dubai Municipality during the first campaign.

Dr Ali said that medicines should be checked regularly to ensure the medicine box does not have expired medication. “Medicines should be stored in a cool and dry place; they should be in one container that is out of the reach and sight of children and pets. These are basic precautions which parents should always keep in mind,” he added. - asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com