Return unused medicines to avoid wastage: Hilmi

BALIK PULAU: Patients with unused medical supplies from government hospitals or clinics are advised to return them to avoid wastage as well as to save on the cost of expensive medications, said Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya.
He said all types of drugs which have not been utilised should be returned to prevent misuse and the risk of children ingesting the medications.
"As the costs (medications) are high, it is a waste if they are thrown away. Moreover the medications can still be used if they have not reached their expiration date," he told reporters after launching the 'Jelajah Pendidikan Bumiputera (JPB) 2017 programme here today.
Hilmi said patients with diabetes and hypertension who still have unused medical supplies should return them to a medical officer or pharmacist to have their prescriptions reviewed so that they could be given alternative or additional medications.
"If patients with diabetes and high blood pressure take their medications as recommended by their doctor, there will be no wastage and if we do have to discard the medicines, it must be disposed of in a proper manner," he said. — Bernama