That cupboard of old medicines? Here's how to clear it safely
Almost every home has them: half-finished antibiotics, expired painkillers, a blister pack for something nobody remembers. Here's how to clear them out safely — and for free.
Don't bin them, don't flush them
Medicines in the household rubbish can be found by children or pets, and flushed medicines end up in our waterways. Neither is safe, and both are avoidable.
Return Unwanted Medicines — for free
Australia runs a free national scheme (RUM) through community pharmacies. Bring your old and expired medicines back to us — or any pharmacy — and they're disposed of safely and properly, at no cost to you. You don't need to have bought them here.
What we'll take
Tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, inhalers, expired prescriptions, and that mystery box from the back of the cupboard. Take them out of any outer cardboard if you can, but leave tablets in their blister or bottle.
Sharps are different
Needles, lancets and pen tips need a proper sharps container, not a loose bag. Ask us — we can advise on the right container and where to return a full one.
Make it a yearly habit
Once a year, have a quick look through the cupboard and bring back anything expired or unused. It frees up space, prevents accidental mix-ups, and keeps the dangerous stuff out of the wrong hands.