Nova Scotia has a formal province-wide program for the disposal of household pharmaceutical waste. The Medication Disposal program allows consumers to return pharmaceuticals to provincial community pharmacies for safe disposal. It is administrated by the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) with the assistance of McKesson Canada and paid by the industry.

Information for the Public

The program encourages the public to bring expired and unused pharmaceuticals back to their community pharmacies.

Information for the Pharmacist

The pharmacist is asked to deposit returned drugs in a cardboard box lined with a plastic bag. When the box is full it is to be sealed and a decal is attached to the box indicating that the box contains dead drugs. The next time the McKesson driver arrives with an order he is to be asked to take the box with him.