India, March 15 -- Waste prevention has emerged as a central recommendation in a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Safe disposal of unused medicines. The report warns that the improper disposal of medicines poses serious risks to both environmental and public health, and calls for stronger national systems to address the problem.

Improper disposal of unused medicines is linked to environmental as well as public health risks. It is recognised as a driver of serious health threats such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), along with endocrine disruption and toxicity. In an earlier report from 2023, UNEP noted the role of unused and expired antimicrobials in causing AMR pollution. Improper disposal has also been l...