THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George announced that the State Drug Control Department is launching a new initiative called nPROUD (New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs) to scientifically collect and dispose of expired and unused medicines.

Under this program, unused medicines will either be collected from households or facilities will be made to deposit them at designated collection points. This is the first time such a government-led initiative is being implemented in the country. The project will initially be launched in Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat of Kozhikode district, with plans to expand it statewide, the minister said.

Expired and unused medicines should not be carelessly discarded into the soil or water bodies, as this can lead to antimicrobial resistance, health issues, and environmental pollution. Since there are no adequate mechanisms currently in place to collect and scientifically dispose of such medicines, the Drug Control Department has taken the initiative to implement this program.

Several studies indicate that the unscientific disposal of unusable medicines contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Based on these findings, the Drug Control Department has designed nPROUD to dispose of unused medicines in compliance with the provisions of the Biomedical Waste Management Act and Rules.

As part of the initiative, unused medicines will be collected from households at regular intervals. Additionally, the public can deposit medicines in blue-coloured bins placed at permanent collection sites. Unused medicines from wholesale and retail outlets, as well as clinics, must be delivered to pre-designated collection centres. The project will be implemented with the support of local bodies and members of the Haritha Karma Sena (Green Task Force).

The collected medicines will be scientifically processed at the Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited (KEIL) waste treatment plant, which is approved by both the Central and State Environment Departments. The official inauguration of the project will take place on February 22 in Kozhikode, led by Health Minister Veena George.