Antibiotic remains by no means in the toilet

Not in the toilet: dispose of antibiotics properly

18/11/2014

If patients have not used up all the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor and there are still leftovers, they must not be disposed of via the toilet. This can promote the development of resistance. Many pharmacists take the drugs back.

Some pharmacists offer disposal
Patients should not dispose of remnants of antibiotics via the toilet or sink, as this would cause the substances to enter the environment. And that can cause the emergence of resistance. Consumers can easily dispose of the medicines in their household waste instead of carrying them to the sewage. Some pharmacies also offer to dispose of drug residues, as the Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations (ABDA) announced a message from the news agency dpa.

Take antibiotics only after a doctor's prescription
In addition, the ABDA advises, with regard to the correct intake, to take the antibiotics exclusively according to a doctor's prescription and to strictly adhere to the information on duration and dosage. Patients should not simply take their own leftover pills on the next infection. Furthermore, it is also taboo to pass on the drugs to other patients. Antibiotic resistance may become an increasing risk due to improper use of the drugs and improper disposal. Also, the Federal Ministry of Health had recently pointed to the too frequent and often unfounded application. It was said that around 500 to 600 tonnes of antibiotics were consumed in outpatient care alone. (Ad)

Picture: Andrea Damm