Why it's important to clean your medicine cabinet

We've all got medicines, outdated and unused, that’s lying around in our homes. While some sit neatly in our medicine cabinets, others can be found stocked away in some hidden corners. We, almost, never think of spring-cleaning our medicine cabinets because we fail to understand how harmful these can be to us, and our family.

Everything from pain relievers to dental floss, to sunscreens to make-up, have expiry dates on them.  

Simply trashing it isn’t the solution. In fact, that can cause more harm, because we can’t control who can access it.

The experts advise to drop them off at any health centres, where it can be disposed off safely. 

In Dubai, residents are urged to drop them off at any of the DHA pharmacies - located across primary healthcare centres and hospitals (Dubai, Rashid, Latifa and Hatta). Expired ones are disposed of in line with international pharmaceutical safety guidelines, while the unused medicines are checked and (valid ones) distributed to charities.

"Expired medication can pose serious health risks to individuals if not disposed of properly. Flushing it is harmful for the environment and pollutes the water," said Dr Mohammed Sameh, head of pharmacy at Rashid Hospital. 

"Disposing of the medicines in the garbage (even if it is tightly sealed) pollutes the soil. Therefore, the best way to dispose outdated medications is to return the medicines to the pharmacy for safe disposal."

Consuming expired tablets could also mean reduced effect or other undesired side-effects.
 
"Bacteria and fungi can grow in expired medicines which can increase their toxicity. It is also important to note that liquids such as antibiotics break down faster," the doctor added.

Your safety checklist

•    It’s important to clean out your medicine cabinet every six months. Always keep an updated list of medicines at home.
•    Always check the expiry date of your medication, even dental floss, sunscreen and makeup.
•    Always keep the medicine cabinet at a cool, dry place, away from the reach of children and pets.
•    Never tell your children that medicines tasted like candy. Teach them that medicines help recover from illness.
•    Never keep any medicines in your bag or car, which can easily accessible by children.
•    Never pop tablets that are not prescribed by your medical practitioner.
•    Store medication as per the instructions – those that need to be stored at a lower temperature must be stocked in refrigerators.