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What to do with expired medications?

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Find out what to do with expired medications and why it is important to dispose of them properly to protect the environment and health.

environmental conditions

Perhaps you have wondered what to do with drugs that are on the consumption deadline and what happens when they are discarded?

First, these drugs require a specialized processing process according to the type of product.

Second, medicines cannot be thrown in the common garbage because their chemicals can damage the soil and its components, that is, if it damages the soil later, it can no longer be used to grow crops or build houses. In addition, if they are mixed in the drainage, they contaminate the water when they arrive and flow into rivers or lakes, affecting the reservoirs on which the cities themselves depend.

It should be noted that if they are not disposed of properly, they seriously damage the flora and fauna, they also pollute rivers, aquifers and oceans.

According to a report by Planeta Vivo 2014, it indicates that the number of vertebrates such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish has decreased by half in the last four decades given that drug remains have been found in the food chain. So for the other time you throw away a medicine, think twice.

The drugs contain chemical compounds that generate a reaction in the body when there is a disease or allergy, but when these chemical wastes reach different environments they generate counterproductive reactions. Some pharmaceutical products that are already identified as harmful to animal life are:

The ethinyl estradiol that causes feminization among fish, that is, it causes changes in the hormones of the fish causing the feminization or masculinization of their organism.

Diclofenac is another chemical that causes mortality in vulture populations, mainly in Asia, after they have ingested the remains of animals treated with this pharmaceutical.

In Mexico there is an association called singrem which is responsible for collecting and destroying expired medications, you just have to enter its page and look for the collection center closest to your home. The Ministry of Health and ISSSTE also have special containers installed in each of their hospital units throughout the country for its collection. In this way you also contribute to caring for the environment.

On the other hand, if you consume medications when they have expired, not only are they not effective for what they were created for, but they can cause allergies, bacterial resistance and even death. 

In addition, the black market takes advantage of the expiration date of these products for their commercialization, especially those that are sold with a prescription. So when you buy medicines check the expiration date. If you notice that the label has been altered, do not buy it and report the establishment to the authorities.

Remember to keep medicines in the environmental conditions indicated by the manufacturer and away from children.

Frequently asked questions from our readers:

The proper way to dispose of expired medications is to take them to a pharmacy or medication collection center, where they will ensure their safe and proper disposal. They should not be thrown in the trash or down the toilet, as they can contaminate the environment and pose a health risk. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/tips/que-hacer-con-los-medicamentos-vencidos
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Last modified: March 22, 2024