In the interests of environmental protection, information on the correct disposal of medicinal products will be added to Patient information from 1 September 2025. The aim is to prevent medicinal product residues entering and polluting the environment.
The information will be phrased as follows:
“Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Expired or no longer needed medicines from households can be returned to pharmacies or collection points.
These measures will help protect the environment.”
This addition to Patient information is intended to make patients aware that the need for a responsible approach to medicinal products extends to the end of their life cycle too. Disposing of medicinal products correctly is a simple but effective contribution to environmental protection.
Marketing authorisation holders are requested to implement this requirement voluntarily at the next possible opportunity.
The revised Guidance document Product information for human medicinal products is valid with effect from 1 September 2025.