Returning medication at the end of service/disposal of unwanted medication

14.1    When someone leaves our services, we will return their medications to them or where appropriate for safety reasons to their family/carers.

14.2    If the person has died, we will retain their medication for a period of seven (7) days in case it is needed by the Coroner’s Office then return it to a pharmacy for disposal.

14.3    Medication must be safely disposed of when the person’s treatment changes and it is no longer needed or for any reason it becomes unsafe to use, such as when:

• it is past its expiry date or safe use period. Eye drops in particular have a short life span once opened
• it has been incorrectly stored
• a dose is wasted, for example because a tablet was dropped or was removed from the container but the person did not wish to take it. Staff must seek advice from a pharmacist about how to dispose of a wasted dose and record the reason for wastage on the MAR

14.4    Staff must clearly mark any unwanted medication and keep it in secure storage separate from medications which are in use until it can be returned to the person, their family/carers or to a pharmacy for disposal as appropriate. 

14.5    Staff must obtain a receipt for medication returned to a pharmacy for disposal.

14.6    Staff must immediately update stock records whenever medication (including unwanted medication) is returned to the person, family / carers or to a pharmacy. If the medication is a Schedule 2 controlled drug, staff must also update the controlled drugs register.  See section 15 Controlled Drugs for controlled drug requirements.  

Sharps boxes

14.7    Used syringes or needles must be placed in a sharps box.  Staff must seal the box when full and take it to a pharmacy for the contents to be disposed of. 

14.8    Medical professionals are responsible for the safe disposal of syringes or needles that they have used in any of our services.