Disposal of Unwanted Medicines
Community pharmacy owners are obliged to accept back unwanted medicines from patients.
The local NHS contract management team will make arrangements for a waste contractor to collect the medicines from pharmacies at regular intervals.
The pharmacy owner must, if required by the local NHS contract management team or the waste contractor, sort them into solids (including ampoules and vials), liquids and aerosols; the waste contractor will be able to advise on whether this is necessary. Additional segregation is also required under the Hazardous Waste Regulations.
Read the disposal of unwanted medicines service specification
Please note that changes to environmental legislation and policy have occurred since the publication of the service specification.
Visit CPE for more info on the following:
- Collection of unwanted medicines and out-of-date stock
- Pre-acceptance waste audit
- Guidance and Resources
- Frequently asked questions
Anenta Ltd:
NHSE&I regional teams are responsible for making arrangements for the collection of waste medicines from pharmacies, to enable contractors to fulfil their responsibilities under the Essential service, the disposal of unwanted medicines; and NHSE&I should notify pharmacies of the arrangements they make.
Anenta Limited is increasingly being contracted to collect and dispose of the waste, therefore all pharmacies should register with Anenta to ensure they have access to its services. This can be done here: https://vector.anenta.com/nhse_registrations
Anenta’s online system allows contractors to make service requests, get advice on issues with the service, or to simply seek advice on waste management in general. The system also holds compliance documentation on behalf of each pharmacy and other relevant communication, service level requirements and FAQs.
Contact details
Tel: 0330 1222 143
Email: support@anenta.com & contact@anenta.com
Open a service ticket within your online account at: www.vector.anenta.com
Anenta Limited website is at: www.anenta.com
Please note, it is the pharmacy’s responsibility to ensure they have space to accept clinical waste from patients, therefore if you are running out of space, please contact Anenta in the first instance to try to arrange another collection. Should you have any issues around this, please contact the ICB: hnyicb-ny.pharmacycontracts@nhs.net
January 2026 update from the ICB:
Please click the link below to read the update from the ICB regarding the upcoming changes to the clinical waste contractor for primary care. This update contains information on what is changing and why, and the actions pharmacy teams should take:
New clinical waste contractor for primary care
Clinical waste in relation to the Flu Service:
Pharmacy owners are required to make arrangements for the removal and safe disposal of any clinical waste and PPE related to the provision of this service. This includes where vaccinations are carried out off-site or in a patient’s home.
Pharmacy owners must also ensure that staff are appropriately trained and made aware of the risks associated with the handling and disposal of clinical waste and that correct procedures are used to minimise those risks. A needle stick injury procedure must be in place.
