Kerala Introduces Landmark Project for Managing Expired Medicine Waste

The Kerala government is set to launch a groundbreaking program, 'nPROUD', to collect and safely dispose off expired and unused medicines from homes. In a first for India, the State Drugs Control Department is implementing this initiative, which will be inaugurated by Health Minister Veena George on February 22 in Kozhikode. The program will start in the Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat, with plans for statewide expansion. Unused medicines will be collected from homes, and disposal facilities will be available at designated locations. This project marks the first government-led effort of its kind in the country.

"Expired and unused medicines should not be thrown carelessly into the soil and water bodies. This leads to antimicrobial resistance, health problems and environmental pollution. The Drugs Control Department has taken up this and implemented it because there are no adequate systems in place to collect or scientifically process such medicines", says Veena George.

Studies show that improper disposal of unused medicines contributes to environmental pollution. To address this, the Kerala Drugs Control Department has launched nPROUD, a program to ensure the safe disposal of unused medicines in compliance with the Biomedical Waste Management Act and Rules.

Under this initiative, unused medicines will be collected from homes on a scheduled basis. The public can also drop off medicines in blue boxes placed at permanent collection points. Additionally, wholesale and retail establishments, as well as clinics, are required to bring their unused medicines to designated collection centers.

The project is being carried out with the support of local bodies and Haritha Karma Sena members. The collected medicines will be scientifically processed at the Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited (KEIL) waste treatment plant, which is approved by both the Central and State Environment Departments.