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Karnataka pharmacy outlets raise alarm over improper medicine disposal, warn of serious environmental risks
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Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru
November 02 , 2026
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Pharmacy outlets across Karnataka have raised concerns over the improper and erratic disposal of expired, unused and unsold medicines, warning that the practice could pose serious risks to the environment and public health.
Improper disposal of pharmaceutical waste, including discarding medicines in regular garbage or drains, can contaminate soil and water sources, harm aquatic ecosystems and contribute to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. Pharmacy operators have stressed the need for stricter disposal protocols, greater awareness and effective coordination with authorised waste management agencies to ensure the safe handling and disposal of pharmaceutical waste.
In an interaction on Impact of improper medicine disposal, C Jayaram, president, KPRDO and Venkatesh Gowda, a registered pharmacist & president, Kolar District Chemists & Druggists Association noted that improper disposing of medicines creates critical environmental and public health risks. Keeping unused medications at home increases the likelihood of accidental poisoning, while discarding them incorrectly allows active chemical residues to leak into soil and aquatic ecosystems.
The main concerns surrounding medicine disposal and the methods used to manage them are environmental toxicity. Discarding drugs in household garbage or pouring them down sinks and toilets can introduce pharmaceuticals into freshwater and marine ecosystems. This can cause severe biological disruptions in wildlife, such as reproductive changes and increased mortality in aquatic species. Improper pharmaceutical waste management poses a significant threat to environmental safety and ecological balance.
When expired or unused medicines are discarded with regular household waste or flushed into sewage systems, their chemical compounds can seep into the soil and contaminate rivers, lakes and other water bodies. The presence of these substances in the environment can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, affect the growth and reproductive health of marine organisms, and increase the risk of toxicity among various species. Such practices highlight the urgent need for scientific disposal methods and responsible pharmaceutical waste management to minimise long-term environmental damage, said Jayaram.
Then there is the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) where throwing leftover antibiotics leads these compounds into the environment to propel the mutation of bacteria and drives the spread of drug-resistant superbugs.
Further storing expired medications poses a severe safety hazard. It raises the risk of accidental poisoning for young children or pets. Therefore there is a need to prioritize the safest disposal routes according to national guidelines. The most effective way to eliminate pharmaceutical waste is through authorized collection systems. Many local retail pharmacies, hospitals, maintain secure, permanent drop boxes, said the pharmacy outlets.
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