Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Launches MediBack: A New National Service for the Safe Disposal of Medicines
Millions of medicines are prescribed and dispensed across Ireland every year, but what happens to medicines that are no longer needed or have passed their expiry date? Thanks to a new initiative introduced by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, there is now a simple, safe and free solution available in every community.
On 28 August 2026, Minister Carroll MacNeill announced the nationwide rollout of MediBack, a new pharmacy-based medicines disposal service that allows people to return unused and expired medicines to any participating pharmacy for safe disposal, free of charge.
The initiative represents another important step in protecting public health, supporting environmental sustainability and improving patient safety across Ireland.
Making Communities Safer
Unused medicines stored in homes can pose serious risks, including accidental poisoning, medicine misuse and inappropriate disposal. MediBack addresses these challenges by providing a convenient and accessible route for people to safely return medicines they no longer need.
Announcing the service, Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“The most effective way to prevent problems associated with unused or expired medicines is to reduce the quantities of these medicines in circulation within the community.”
The Minister highlighted the vital role pharmacies play in communities and recognised pharmacists' expertise in helping ensure medicines are disposed of responsibly and safely.
Supporting Public Health and the Environment
MediBack is about much more than disposing of unwanted medicines. The initiative will help:
Reduce the risk of accidental poisoning in the home.
Support suicide prevention and self-harm reduction.
Prevent medicines from being diverted into illegal markets.
Help combat antimicrobial resistance.
Protect waterways, wildlife and the wider environment from inappropriate disposal of medicines.
The service also supports Ireland's wider One Health objectives, recognising the important connections between human health, animal health and environmental protection.
Working Together to Deliver Better Healthcare
The rollout of MediBack reflects strong collaboration between the Department of Health, the HSE, community pharmacists and the Irish Pharmacy Union.
Minister Carroll MacNeill acknowledged the partnership that made the initiative possible, thanking officials, healthcare professionals and pharmacy representatives for their work in developing and implementing this important national service.
As part of her ongoing commitment to delivering practical improvements through Sláintecare, the Minister noted that MediBack will help improve patient safety while generating valuable information to support future evidence-based healthcare planning.
A Free Service Available Nationwide
The MediBack service is available in community pharmacies throughout Ireland.
Anyone can return most unused or expired medicines, regardless of where they were originally purchased. The service is entirely free of charge.
Some items, including sharps such as needles and lancets, and medicines intended for farm animals, are not included in the scheme.
People wishing to dispose of larger quantities of medicines are encouraged to contact their pharmacy in advance.
By making it easier for families to dispose of medicines safely, supporting public health priorities and protecting the environment, MediBack will help create safer homes and healthier communities across Ireland.
Find Out More
For further information about the MediBack service, including details of medicines that can and cannot be returned, visit gov.ie/mediback.