The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, has announced the roll-out of a national medicine disposal service, MediBack, in community pharmacies around Ireland. This free service will allow members of the public to bring their unused and out-of-date medicines to pharmacies around the country, for safe disposal.

Safe medicines disposal is important for several reasons. It helps prevent antimicrobial resistance, reduces the risk of falsified or diverted medicines entering the black market, lowers the risk of accidental poisoning, and supports suicide prevention and self-harm reduction by limiting access to unused medicines. The scheme supports Ireland’s One Health objectives by ensuring unused medicines are disposed of safely, helping to protect people, animals and the environment from the risks associated with inappropriate storage or disposal of medicines.

Minister Carroll MacNeill said: “The most effective way to prevent problems associated with unused or expired medicines is to reduce the quantities of these medicines in circulation within the community. “Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to accept these medicines as they are highly accessible, experienced in safe disposal and appreciate the risks that unused or expired medicines can pose. “MediBack aligns with the objectives of Sláintecare by promoting patient safety, improving environmental sustainability and generating data to inform evidence-based service improvement. “I am grateful to the Officials in my Department, the Health Service Executive and the Irish Pharmacy Union for their collaborative efforts in developing and implementing this important service.”

Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) of the HSE Dr. Colm Henry said: "The introduction of MediBack is an important step in protecting public health and supporting safe use of medicines. Unused and expired medicines retained in the home increase the risk of accidental poisoning, medicine misuse and avoidable harm. By providing a simple, free and accessible route for returning these medicines through community pharmacies, MediBack will help reduce these risks, supporting safer homes and healthier communities. "This service also supports wider public health priorities, including tackling antimicrobial resistance and reducing the environmental impact of medicines entering our waste and water systems. "I would like to acknowledge the strong collaboration between community pharmacists, the HSE, the Department of Health and the Irish Pharmacy Union in delivering this valuable national service.”

Through MediBack, anyone can bring unused or out-of-date medicines to any pharmacy nationwide for safe disposal, free of charge. The medicines do not need to have been bought from the pharmacy where they are returned.

Welcoming today’s announcement, IPU President Caoimhe McAuley said: "Community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals in Ireland and are uniquely placed to help patients dispose of unused medicines safely while protecting both public health and the environment. "Every day, pharmacists support patients with healthcare advice, medicines optimisation and pharmaceutical care. They understand the risks associated with unused medicines and have the expertise and infrastructure necessary to ensure medicines are disposed of safely and responsibly. "This initiative is another example of the trusted role community pharmacies play in protecting patients’ health while delivering practical public health services closer to home. "We thank the Department of Health and the HSE for engaging so collaboratively on the roll-out of this initiative and we look forward to providing the MediBackservice in communities nationwide."

The vast majority of medicines for human use (plus some veterinary medicines for pets) will be accepted. Some restrictions will apply, such as the exclusion of “sharps” (e.g. needles or lancets) and medication for farm animals. For a full list of what types of medicines are and are not accepted through the MediBack service, visit gov.ie/mediback

We ask that anyone bringing a large volume of medicines for disposal should phone ahead to their pharmacy.

Ends
The Community Pharmacy Agreement between the Department of Health, Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) and the Health Service Executive (HSE), enables the provision of HSE-tendered medicine disposal services from community pharmacies. As it is a mandatory service, agreed under the Community Pharmacy Agreement, all community pharmacies nationwide will provide the MediBack service.

Why the safe disposal of unused medicines matters:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set out the establishment of a nationwide system of safe medicines disposal as a key recommendation in its National Hazardous Waste Management Plan.

Using the MediBack service to dispose of medicines correctly will help to safeguard the environment, avoiding negative impacts on crops, biodiversity and the contamination of our water system.

Correctly disposing of antimicrobials (for example antibiotics) is a simple but vital step in protecting public health. When unused or expired medicines are thrown in the bin or flushed down drains, they can enter and damage the environment. This may expose bacteria to low levels of these drugs and contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance makes infections harder to treat as bacteria can become resistant (sometimes referred to as superbugs) to antimicrobials, threatening the effectiveness of these life-saving medicines. By returning unused or expired antimicrobials to pharmacies, individuals can help reduce this risk, protect water systems and the environment, and ensure these valuable medicines remain effective for future generations.

You can find information bout the items accepted through this scheme here 

For media
If you are a journalist or media professional covering a suicide-related topic, follow the Samaritans Ireland Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide and Preventing Suicide, a resource for media professionals (World Health Organisation) – because of the potentially harmful consequences of irresponsible reporting. For example, describing a means or method of suicide or self-harm, has considerable potential for harm (especially to people who are bereaved or feeling vulnerable) and can create learned or imitative behaviour (especially with people who might be at risk). The guidelines strongly recommend including signposting to accessible, trusted sources of support, for anyone impacted by the themes in any coverage.

Signposting to accessible, trusted sources of support:
Samaritans are available 24 hours every day, for confidential, non-judgmental support.

Freephone 116 123 anytime day or night. Email jo@samaritans.ie. Visit www.samaritans.ie.
Pieta provide a range of suicide and self-harm prevention and bereavement services.

Freephone 1800 247247 anytime day or night.
Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply).
Visit www.pieta.ie.
Text About It is a free, anonymous, messaging support service.

Text HELLO to 50808 anytime day or night.
Visit www.textaboutit.ie, where a WhatsApp option is also available.
Visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie for more information on how to mind your mental health, support others, and to find a support service in your area. The HSE Your Mental Health information line is a phone service you can call with information on mental health support and services and how to access them. Freephone 1800 111 888 anytime day or night.

Men can also visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie/men for information on free and accessible counselling support. For example, men can now access six free counselling sessions with MyMind, via a GP. Free, confidential telephone support for men is also now available, from Connect Counselling, seven days every week between 5.00pm and 9.00pm – on 1800 577 577.