We all use medicines, insect repellents and personal care products which contain chemicals. These products have the potential to enter the environment through domestic sewage and other sources. Some are endocrine disrupting compounds (or EDCs) and can affect the system of glands that produces hormones that help control the body's metabolic activity and development. More than 900 chemicals are considered to be EDCs. The presence of these chemicals in the environment has come to the attention of scientists only recently and the impact of the medicines on the environment is still being researched.

While there are advanced hospital waste disposal methods, the purpose of this article is to highlight what we can do at domestic level.

Reduce pharmaceutical waste: Request your doctor to prescribe only the medication you need at exact quantities. If the prescription is for medicines required for longer periods like 2 or 3 months, first try out a minimum purchase so that in case the medicine is to be discontinued due to side effects or other changes in health condition, we do not have excess medication already purchased.

Buy Over the Counter (OTC) medications in quantities that can be used before the expiration date.

Some communities have pharmaceutical take-back programs or community solid-waste programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Where these exist, they are a good way to dispose of unused pharmaceuticals. I believe such take-back programs do not exist in most parts of the world.

Do not flush drugs down the toilet unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so. Many drugs are not degraded by the waste water treatment process or in a septic system, and, consequently, are released into the environment.

Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers and mix them with ashes, dirt, cat litter, coffee grounds, or another undesirable substance to avoid accidental or intentional misuse of drugs. Do not conceal discarded drugs in food to prevent consumption by scavenging humans, pets or wildlife. The medication will be less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through your trash.  Put them in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent the medication from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag. Dispose of drugs as close to your trash collection day as possible to avoid misuse.

Be careful in handling medications. Some drugs can cause harm if handled by people other than those to whom they were prescribed. Also, avoid crushing pills as some medications can be harmful in powder form.