What to do with your unused or expired medicine in France

82% of people in France return their unused or expired medication to a pharmacy at least once a year, reveals a survey published by eco-organisation Cyclamed. 

The report also highlights that this figure is rising each year (77% in 2024), while the number of medicine boxes sold by French pharmacies has been falling by around 1% per year for the past two decades.

Members of the public are becoming more attuned to the environmental impacts that incorrectly disposing of medicine can have, as well as the potential intoxication of both humans and animals. 

Throwing medication in the bin means it can end up in landfill, contaminating the soil and polluting the groundwater. Meanwhile, flushing medicine down the sink or toilet means it will end up in rivers.

The best way to dispose of medicines in France is by recycling them at a pharmacy.

Read also: What to do if your local pharmacy in France is out of stock of your medicine

Which medicines can be recycled… and where?

Pharmacies in France are legally obliged to accept medicines, in any form (tablets, capsules, ointments, creams, drops, sprays, inhalers) to be recycled for free. 

Note that some particularly toxic drugs, such as certain anti-cancer drugs, retinoids prescribed for acne, or equipment such as needles and syringes, require special disposal. Read the medication packaging to see specific rules, or ask a pharmacist if in doubt. 

Other items that cannot be disposed of by returning to pharmacies include: medical devices (such as thermometers and syringes), plasters, glasses and contact lenses, food supplements, and cosmetic products (including make-up remover, nail varnish, sun creams).

If in doubt as to whether an item is a ‘medicine’ you can check it in the search box at Cyclamed’s site.

Take your unused or expired medications to any pharmacy, even if it is not the same pharmacy that sold the specific medicine in question. 

You can either hand the medicines to a pharmacist directly or you can dispose of them in a special green box inside the pharmacy.

Sorting unused medication

Medicine must be sorted before being returned to the pharmacy. 

Cough syrups and eye drops that have been open for longer than their indicated time should be considered expired, as should treatments that have not been properly refrigerated. Do not empty the liquid down the drain. Instead, ensure the lids on tubes or bottles are securely sealed and bring them to your local pharmacy. 

Blister packs should be removed from their cardboard box. This packaging, including any paper medical notices, can be recycled at home in the yellow bin in France. It is acceptable to keep pills in their plastic or foil protective casing. 

Finally, medicines must be put in a bag before being taken to the pharmacy.

Read also: Shortage of antidepressants and psychiatric drugs set to last several months in France

How is medication recycled?

Note that medicine will not be reused by new patients, transformed into new medication, nor will it be shipped to other countries. 

The medicines returned to French pharmacies are collected and then safely disposed of via special incinerator units.

A byproduct of this incineration is the production of electricity, which provides energy to roughly 7,000 homes.

For full details go to the dedicated webpage by France’s Assurance Maladie website, Ameli.