Dh2 million worth medicines donated by DHA

The Dubai Health Authority’s, Clean Your Medicine Cabinet, campaign collected medicines worth Dh2 million in the last quarter this year.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the right method of medicine storage, disposal and donation. It was launched in 2011 and since then, every month medicines collected are checked and accordingly donated to UAE charities.

As part of the campaign, DHA pharmacies located across 16 DHA primary healthcare centres and DHA hospitals (Dubai, Rashid, Latifa and Hatta) accept expired or unutilised medications that are dropped-off by the public. Residents can return these medications to DHA pharmacies located across Dubai at no extra cost. 

Dr Ali Sayed, Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Dubai Health Authority, said, “Expired medications are disposed of in line with international pharmaceutical safety guidelines. Unutilised medications are first reevaluated by experts within the pharmacy department and then the DHA donates valid medications that are in a good condition to charities.

“The aim of the campaign is two-fold — safe and effective disposal of deteriorated or expired medicines and donation of valid medications to charities. Expired medication can pose serious health risks to individuals if not disposed of properly. Flushing down your medication is harmful for the environment and pollutes the water and disposing of the medicines in the garbage (even if it is tightly sealed) pollutes the soil. 

“Therefore, the best way to dispose outdated medications is to return the medicines to the pharmacy for safe disposal.”

He added that the DHA coordinates with relevant authorities to get rid of expired medication. Dr Sayed urged the public to continue donating medicines in line, especially during the holy month. 

DHA’s Clean Your Medicine Cabinet campaign started in 2011.