Supporting effective disposal of pharmaceutical wastes from communities makes a substantial contribution to minimising environmental pollution secondary to disposal via sewer and the survival of pharmaceutical residues in wastewater treatment outflows.

Community collections are not uncommon in the US and in some European countries but are unknown in the UK. Other approaches such as lean prescribing can be complimentary. However, the collection of drug wastes for re-use is perhaps a step too far and it is not surprising that in Illinois residents and others are having difficulty in making such a scheme work.

Where bulk pharmaceuticals waste – but not the odds and sods collections from individuals – are discarded, it is important to remember that, subject to the necessary safety checks, these can be shipped for use in under-resourced countries as part of, for example, the tremendous work of Intercare medical aid for Africa.