Kozhikode city no longer burns, buries or dumps unused and expired medicines that cause hazardous pollution to the ecosystem. Yes, the residents of Kozhikode City Corporation have successfully implemented the ‘nPROUD’ project of Kerala State Drugs Control Department designed to scientifically collect and safely dispose of expired and unused medicines.
Following the success of the ‘nPROUD’ project in Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat in Kozhikode district, the State Drugs Control Department has now decided to roll out the project all across Kerala to make the state first in the country to have a proper mechanism for collecting and scientifically disposing of expired and unused medicines. “We have successfully implemented the project in Kozhikode corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat with the strong support of residents and Haritha Karma Sena. Now, we are all set to launch the project across Kerala. Under the project, unused medicines will be collected directly from households. Additionally, the public can dispose of medicines at their convenience by placing them in blue collection boxes which will be installed at permanent drop-off points,” said a senior official of State Drugs Control Department.
While direct collection will be available only for households, wholesale and retail pharmacy establishments and clinics have to submit the unused medicines at designated collection centres at pre-determined locations.
According to an official document of the state government, the collected medicines will undergo scientific processing at waste treatment facilities approved by Central and State Environment Departments.
“In many cases, unused and expired medicines from households and unsold stock in pharmacies are improperly disposed of by either burning, burying, or dumping in landfills. Studies have shown that the unscientific disposal of expired and unused medicines, including their improper dumping into soil and water bodies, contributes to antimicrobial resistance, health hazards, and environmental pollution. According to regulations, unused medicines should be destroyed through incineration at a temperature of 1,200 Degrees Celsius,” the officials said.
