Joining hands with the public to handle unused medicines properly to safeguard the environment and community health

As Hong Kong's leading health and beauty chain, Mannings is committed to its social responsibilities as a community pharmacy, and safeguarding the wellbeing of the community with the public. According to a study, the improper disposal of unused medicines by local households has given rise to concern, as they are usually discarded as domestic waste or flushed down the toilet. These practices will pollute the soil and water, and the increased exposure may generate drug resistance, posing risks to human health in the long run. As such, Mannings partners with JCI Tai Ping Shan (JCITPS) for the first time to launch the new "Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines" programme. From 30 June to 30 July, collection boxes will be set up at designated Mannings stores with a Pharmacy Service to collect expired or unwanted medicines from the public for proper disposal, aiming to protect the environment and wellbeing of the community together. As the first chain community pharmacy in Hong Kong to collect unused medicines, Mannings Pharmacists arranged talks at schools to raise the awareness of programme, and provides "Free Medication Counselling Service" at all Mannings stores with a Pharmacy Service in Hong Kong to answer enquiries about correct usage of medication. The service will also reduce household pharmaceutical waste and raise awareness of proper handling of unused medicines, helping to address the root cause of the problem.

Launch of First "Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines" programme at 26 Mannings stores with a Pharmacy Service

While many people will throw away expired medicines with household waste or flush them down the toilet, these habits will undermine the health of the environment and community. The chemicals in the medicines may end up in the landfills or the ocean and contaminate the soil and water sources before accumulating in human bodies through the crops, water or seafood we consume. Worse still, the increased exposure may generate drug resistance and create "superbugs", posing risks to human health. The researchers from City University of Hong Kong detected 43 types of drug residues, including 18 antibiotics, in river water samples from urban areas in Hong Kong. The number is the highest in the world and reflects a concerning issue.

There is no legislation regulating the disposal of unused medicines from households in Hong Kong at the moment. According to a survey 1, 75% of local households possess unused medicines, and the pandemic has prompted the public to pile up the stock. Proper handling of unneeded medicines can help alleviate the threat to the environment and community health. Therefore, Mannings is pleased to offer a convenient disposal service by introducing the "Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines" programme. From 30 June to 30
July, the public can dispose of any unwanted or expired medicines (pills only, excluding dangerous drugs and syrup) to the collection boxes set up in 26 designated Mannings stores with a Pharmacy Service across the city. All medicines collected will then be sent to an authorised organisation for safe and responsible destruction. Through this pioneering scheme, Mannings hopes to support the community in collecting and disposing of unwanted medicines at home, safeguarding the environment and the health of the public.

Reduce Over-storage of medicines through Free Medication Counselling Service

In addition to setting up collection boxes for unused medicines, Mannings also tries to tackle the problem of medicine wastage and environmental pollution by helping the public cut down the quantity of expired medicines at home. Mr. Philip Chiu, Chief Pharmacist of Mannings, said, "Many people visit both public hospitals and private clinics at the same time, or obtain similar medications with the same effects. Some seniors who visit public hospitals regularly will request some extra medicines even though they have enough medicines at home, while others forget to take their medicines on time. All these lead to the problem of over-storage."

Recognising this problem, Mannings Pharmacists will offer free Medication Counselling Service to answer questions about medications, and help review and coordinate different prescriptions. Public can consult the pharmacists for free without the need of making an appointment. They can simply present the medicines to Mannings Pharmacists at any Mannings stores with a Pharmacy Service or consult them via WhatsApp. The pharmacists will explain the effects of each medicine in details to avoid any duplication or undesirable interaction, and will advise on the correct usage of the medicines to minimise unused medications or waste. The public may also deposit unwanted or expired medicines to the collection box, if available, in the store immediately to ensure proper disposal.

With these initiatives, Mannings would like to help reduce unwanted medicines in local households and enhance people's awareness of safe medication usage. Citing the story of a customer as an example, Philip noted, "A customer who had undergone the coronary artery bypass surgery used to visit a private clinic and public hospital regularly for medication. As he believed that he was prescribed with antihypertensive medicines by one party and blood thinner by the other, he took these pills together. However, our pharmacist realised that he actually received antihypertensive medicines from both sides, which was not only a waste of resources, but also increased the risk of developing side effects. So, we prepared a referral letter for him immediately to help him get the right blood thinner as soon as possible."

1 Chung, S. and Brooks, B.W. (2019). Identifying household pharmaceutical waste characteristics and population behaviors in one of the most densely populated global cities. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 140, pp.267-277.

Promoting the Responsible Way to Dispose of Unwanted Medicines at Schools

Public education is also crucial in tackling the problem of improper disposal of unwanted medicines in the long run. Therefore, Mannings Pharmacists joined hands with JCITPS to organise talks on unwanted medicines for primary and secondary school students from April to June 2023, providing education on the importance of proper disposal of unwanted medicines from a professional perspective, at the same time encouraging the young generation to develop good habits and share the knowledge with their families and friends in order to protect the environment and community health together.

The "Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines" programme will be launched at 26 Mannings stores with a Pharmacy Service throughout Hong Kong from 30 June to 30 July 2023 to collect expired or unwanted medicines from the public before transferring them to an authorised organisation for proper destruction. For more information, please contact a Mannings Pharmacist at Mannings stores or via WhatsApp.