Safe Disposal of Veterinary Medicines

Why Proper Medication Disposal Matters – Protecting Health and the Environment

At our practice, we are committed to protecting both animal and human health while minimising our environmental impact. A key part of this is ensuring the safe disposal of veterinary medicines, including antibiotics, flea and worm treatments, and other medications.

Improper disposal—such as flushing medications down the sink, toilet, or drain—can lead to environmental contamination and contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

AMR is a growing global concern that affects both human and animal health.

What is AMR?

Antibiotics are essential in treating many conditions in both people and animals. However, bacteria are developing defenses that make these treatments less effective. This process, known as antibiotic resistance, occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to survive exposure to antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.

Why is this a Problem?

• AMR poses a serious risk to human and animal health worldwide.
• Bacteria are becoming resistant to many antibiotics used in both human and veterinary medicine.
• The environment is at risk—disposing of antibiotics incorrectly (e.g., through household waste) can contribute to AMR, harming wildlife and contaminating water sources.

You Can Help Keep Antibiotics Working

Antibiotics are crucial for treating infections, but we must use them responsibly to maintain their effectiveness:

✔ Never give your pet leftover or expired antibiotics. Doing so may cause side effects, delay proper treatment, and contribute to AMR.
✔ Always dispose of antibiotics safely. Improper disposal can pollute the environment and contribute to AMR.

How to Dispose of Unused Veterinary Medications Safely

 

The safest way to dispose of antibiotics, flea and worm treatments, and other pet medications is to return them to your veterinary practice. There is no refund for returning unused, returned medicines, but we can guarantee that each medicine will be disposed of properly, and that they will not be resold.

What to do:
✔ Check your home for expired, unused, or partially used medications—including tablets removed from blister packs but not used within 28 days.
✔ Bring them to your vet for proper disposal.

Returning Medications to Your Vet – Pets & Equine Clients

Liquid Medications:

• Ensure lids are tightly secured on bottles, jars, or pipettes.
• Place them in a sealed, leak-proof bag before returning.

Tablets:

• Keep them in their original blister packs whenever possible.
• If removed, place them in a sealable, child-proof container before returning.

Returning Medications to Your Vet – Farm Clients

Used needles should be safely disposed of in your sharps bin on-farm, until it is full. Unused and out of date medications should be disposed of in your bottle bins, along with used syringes. Once full, seal your sharps/bottle bin and bring it to the practice, whereby we will dispose of it for you.

By taking these simple steps, you are helping to protect pets, people, and the environment.

Thank you for working with us to keep our communities safe!

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