Return Leftover Sleeping Pills to Pharmacies: South Korea Launches Drug Disposal Campaign

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), in collaboration with the Korean Pharmacists Association and the Korean Hospital Pharmacists Association, has initiated a crucial campaign to address the growing concern of narcotic drug misuse and illegal trafficking originating from household medicine cabinets. This initiative, running until November, allows citizens to safely return unused prescription narcotic drugs to designated pharmacies across the country.

The program specifically targets medications such as sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and opioid painkillers, including potent substances like fentanyl, zolpidem, and lorazepam. The MFDS emphasizes the severe risks associated with the misuse of these drugs, warning of potential side effects including hallucinations, seizures, and even death for individuals who take them without a prescription. This underscores the importance of responsible disposal and preventing access by unauthorized persons.

“

To prevent the misuse and illegal distribution of narcotic drugs.

Participating pharmacies, listed on the MFDS website, will accept these medications for proper disposal by specialized waste management companies. As an incentive, individuals who return their unused drugs will be gifted an eco-friendly bag. For regions not covered by this specific program, citizens are encouraged to utilize local government-operated waste medication disposal services. The success of this initiative is evident in last year's collection, which saw a significant increase in the amount of waste medication disposed of compared to the previous year.

Beyond household collections, the MFDS is actively researching safe retrieval and disposal methods for narcotic drugs in institutional settings like nursing homes and correctional facilities. This forward-thinking approach includes a pilot program for 'on-site collection' at correctional facilities, where experts will visit to retrieve abandoned narcotics. These efforts reflect a comprehensive strategy to enhance drug safety and curb illicit activities, ensuring that prescription medications are used only as intended and do not fall into the wrong hands.

“

Individuals who arbitrarily take leftover narcotic drugs at home without a prescription may experience serious side effects such as hallucinations, seizures, and death.