Government Announces MediBack, Free Pharmacy Scheme For Safe Disposal Of Unused Medicines

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, has today announced the roll-out of MediBack, a national medicine disposal service, in community pharmacies around Ireland. MediBack is a free, in-pharmacy service for the safe disposal of unused and expired medicines.

The scheme allows members of the public to bring unused and out-of-date medicines to pharmacies for safe disposal, free of charge. The medicines do not need to have been bought from the pharmacy where they are returned.

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.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister for Health:

"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."

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE:

"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."

Caoimhe McAuley, IPU President:

"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 [sic] 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. A full list of accepted and excluded medicines is available at gov.ie/mediback.

Anyone bringing a large volume of medicines for disposal is asked to phone ahead to their pharmacy.

The service is being provided under the Community Pharmacy Agreement between the Department of Health, the Irish Pharmacy Union and the HSE, and, as a mandatory service under that agreement, will be available at all community pharmacies nationwide.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, Samaritans can be contacted free on 116 123, any time, day or night.