Directive 2004/27/EC (relating to medicinal products for human use) introduces an obligation for Member States to implement appropriate collection schemes for unused pharmaceutical products. It is designed to reduce the volumes of medicines flushed into water supply.
However, the Directive does not appear provide any guidelines on implementation of schemes
eg “specific precautions relating to the disposal of unused medicinal products or waste derived from medicinal products, where appropriate, as well as reference to any appropriate collection system in place”
The Irish programme is/was called the “Dispose of Unused Medicines Properly” (DUMP) Programme and is designed to prevent disposal of unused medicines into drains and waterways
FOI submitted to HSE on Monday 18 October 2021 to request any information of the existence, scope, scale and funding for the HSE programme for ‘take back’ of medicines at Irish pharmacies
HSE confirm that they do not operate a Programme for the “take back” of medicines at Irish Pharmacies
Follow on FOI to EU
Based on HSE response, FOI submitted to EU to ask has Ireland implemented Directive 2004/27/EC, is there a reporting requirement, has Ireland reported, and please supply any reports made under the Directive
Submitted 22/11/21