- The first project on the collection and disposal of expired medicines is being launched by Kerala Government.
- For the first time in the country, the State Drug Control Department is launching a project to collect and dispose of expired and unused medicines from households in a scientific manner.
- On February 22, Health Minister Veena George will inaugurate the project titled ‘nPROUD’ (New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs) in Kozhikode.
- As part of the project, authorities will collect unused medicines from households or provide facilities for their disposal at designated locations.
- This is the first time such a project has been launched and implemented at the government level in the country.
- The project is being implemented for the first time in the Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat of Kozhikode district
- The government is planning to implement it across the state.
- Veena George said that expired and unused medicines should not be carelessly thrown into the soil and water bodies, as this leads to antimicrobial resistance, health problems, and environmental pollution.
- The medicines so collected will be scientifically processed at the Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited (KEIL) waste treatment plant, which has been approved by the Central and State Environment Departments.
