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.
