Medication Disposal

Video credit: Pharmacy Association of British Columbia https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/resource-centre/health-issues/medication-return

The Medication Disposal Program

NEVER flush or throw out your medications!

Nova Scotia has a province-wide program for the disposal of household pharmaceutical waste called The Medication Disposal Program. This program allows patients to return ANY medications they no longer need or “dead drugs” to their local community pharmacies for safe disposal at absolutely no cost! Nova Scotia’s Medication Disposal Program is administrated by the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia and disposal costs are paid for by pharmaceutical companies. Simply empty expired/left-over medications into a bag (plastic or otherwise!) and return to your local pharmacy for destruction. 

Items Not Accepted for Destruction:

  • Empty medication vials/boxes*
  • Medication packaging*
  • Sharps, needles or syringes
  • Cosmetics

* These items can be disgarded with regular household waste - please black-out any personal informaton before doing so*

Note: This program is NOT for any commercial enterprises, including: doctors' offices, vet clinics, shopping malls, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, workplaces, etc.