Return of Unwanted Medicines (RUM)

RUM is short for Return of Unwanted Medicines, a government initiative making it easy to collect and dispose of unwanted medicines in the community. Unwanted medicines refers to any medicine you have bought or been prescribed which you no longer need. Out-of-date medicines should also be returned for disposal. 

 You can dispose of the following types of medications in the RUM bin:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Herbal or complementary supplements
• Gels, liquids, and topical creams
• Pet medications are also accepted.

Please note, sharps (needles and syringes) cannot be put in RUM bins. Talk to your Pharmacist about the appropriate way to dispose of these items.

 Evidence over many years confirms that medicines stored in the home can be the source of poisonings of children, and of confusion with aged patients. Accident and Emergency departments of major hospitals report alarming rates of poisonings of children due to household poisons (one in four admissions).

Aged patients are often confused by the variety of medicines previously prescribed and then superseded by subsequent medicines. Medicines, and chemicals in general, can contaminate the environment when discarded via landfill sites and sewerage facilities.

Most people throw away medicines or flush them down the toilet. This can have a harmful impact on the environment including our waterways.  Bringing them to Atkins Pharmacy for disposal is the best way to dispose of unwanted medicines.  

No. Returned medicines are not recycled or reused by the pharmacy at any time. This is prevented by the best practice procedures and in some jurisdictions by legislation. 

 Returned medicines are disposed of by high temperature incineration. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved this process.