STUD: Medretur - Efficient, secure and sustainable disposal of discarded medications

In Norway, an estimated 300 tonnes of medications are improperly discarded every year, most of which end in the toilet or garbage. The following release of pharmaceuticals in nature generates environmental pollution, which, for instance, could cause behavioural changes in fish species and antimicrobial resistance in the long term. Today, handling of discarded medications is mostly done manually by pharmacists. It is time-consuming, logistically redundant and inefficient. Furthermore, easy access to discarded medications is associated with substance abuse among health personnel, leading to work leave and increased costs. Medretur aims to mitigate these problems by developing customized, safe and easily available drug drop-off disposal units. They will be placed at strategic locations and will only be accessible for selected employees. Our primary target market will be pharmacies in Norway. Moreover, Medretur aims to investigate the possibility of integrating a return scheme in our product. This could allow for a registration system that triggers financial rewards for consumers, in addition to increased knowledge about returned medications.

OUTCOMES - Test a prototype (MVP) and gather feedback from target markets and consumers for further development. - Raise public awareness regarding correct disposal of medications through campaigns and social media. IMPACTS - Improved efficiency at our target markets’ workplaces, as reported by our customers. - Reduced environmental impact i.e through pollution of marine and agricultural ecosystems, as measured by the amount of increase in medications (per kg or per disposal unit) returned to our customers. - Increased awareness and knowledge about environmental impact of medications, as reported in surveys conducted among consumers.