The general public can safely dispose of 17 dangerous or potentially fatal medicines by flushing them, according to CDSCO.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has identified 17 harmful medicines that the public can safely flush down sinks or toilets to prevent risks to people and pets at home. These include opioids, anxiety drugs, and others like fentanyl, morphine, and diazepam, which can be fatal if misused. This guidance is part of CDSCO’s effort to reduce improper disposal of unused or expired drugs, a major cause of environmental pollution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The document urges state governments and local bodies to establish “drug take back” programs where citizens can drop off expired medicines for safe disposal under biomedical waste regulations. Developed by a sub-committee under the Drugs Consultative Committee, the guidance aligns with existing laws to minimize environmental harm and public health risks. It promotes proper disposal methods to protect communities and ecosystems from drug contamination.

04-06-2025