KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — Studies in Malaysia and around the world have detected pharmaceutical residues in water sources, a risk linked directly to how households get rid of medicines they no longer need, whether flushed down drains, thrown into household waste, or left to leach into the environment.
Malaysians now have greater access to safe medicine disposal and insulin pen recycling through an expanded MyMediSAFE programme, following new partnerships announced by the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) on July 25, 2026.
Every Malaysian household accumulates medicines that are no longer needed, whether because treatment has changed, recovery has occurred, or a loved one has passed away.
Yet many Malaysians remain unsure where these medicines should be returned. As a result, unused medicines are often kept at home indefinitely or discarded with household waste or down the drain, posing risks to safety and the environment, including the water sources many communities rely on.
The Numbers Behind The Problem
Malaysian research points to a gap between awareness and action. A study of more than 1,180 members of the public in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor found that 84 per cent of respondents have unused medicines sitting at home.
Separate research among the general public in Selangor found that more than 80 per cent recognised medication wastage as a problem, yet about half still disposed of unwanted medicines through the household trash, and roughly one in ten poured them down the sink or drain.
Both routes that can allow pharmaceutical residues to enter the environment and water systems.
To close that gap, MPS announced three new strategic partnerships with Biocon, the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) and Hospis Malaysia, that will expand the reach of MyMediSAFE, the national medicine disposal programme initiated by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) as a public-private partnership.
As the professional body representing pharmacists in Malaysia, MPS champions and coordinates MyMediSAFE nationally, working alongside MOH to bring on new partners, provide technical guidance to service providers, and advance medicine stewardship across the country.
Pharmacists lead medicine stewardship throughout the entire medicine use journey, from ensuring medicines are dispensed and used safely, to ensuring they are returned responsibly once no longer needed.
Through its Special Interest Group on Safe Medicine Disposal, MPS has driven the practical rollout of MyMediSAFE by providing technical expertise and professional guidance to newly onboarded service providers.
With the new collaborations involving Biocon, NCSM, and Hospis Malaysia, the programme will further extend its reach by bringing safe medicine disposal and insulin pen recycling services closer to patients, caregivers, and communities.
MPS president Amrahi Buang emphasised MPS’s role in advancing responsible medicine use and disposal.
“Every Malaysian household should know where to return unused medicines. As pharmacists, our responsibility does not end when a medicine is dispensed — we are medicine stewards throughout the entire medicine use journey, from ensuring medicines are used safely and effectively, to ensuring medicines that are no longer needed are returned responsibly.
“Through MPS’s role in coordinating MyMediSAFE, we are bringing together partners across sectors to expand access, strengthen awareness and ensure that safe medicine disposal and insulin pen recycling become part of everyday healthcare practice in Malaysia,” said Amrahi.
Joe Sian from Biocon said his company is proud to support an initiative that extends beyond treatment to responsible health care.
“Health care does not end after a medicine or medical device has been used. Through our partnership with MPS under MyMediSAFE, we are pleased to support greater public awareness, expand safe medicine disposal services and establish responsible recycling pathways for used insulin pens,” he said.
For patients living with cancer, treatment plans frequently evolve, resulting in medicines being discontinued or replaced. NCSM managing director Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said patients and caregivers often require guidance on managing these unused medicines.
“NCSM welcomes this partnership as an important step towards expanding the MyMediSAFE initiative to more communities, while reinforcing responsible medicine management as an integral part of holistic cancer care.
“Throughout the cancer journey, patients often undergo multiple forms of treatment and use various medications. By equipping them with the knowledge to safely dispose of unused or expired medicines, we can empower them to manage their treatment more responsibly while protecting their families, communities, and the environment,” he said.
Hospis Malaysia likewise highlighted the importance of supporting patients and families receiving palliative care.
“Patients receiving palliative care often experience changes in medicines as their condition evolves, and families may be left with medicines after a loved one has passed away.
“Our collaboration with MPS through MyMediSAFE allows us to better support patients and caregivers with practical guidance and convenient access to safe disposal services,” said Lim Zee Nee, medical director of Hospis Malaysia.
Beyond these partnerships, MPS also acknowledged the dedication of community pharmacists nationwide, who serve as trusted, accessible collection points and play a vital role in delivering MyMediSAFE services to the public.
Every Malaysian Can Play A Part
Members of the public are encouraged to return their unused, unwanted or expired medicines, as well as eligible used insulin pens, to participating MyMediSAFE collection points instead of disposing of them through household waste or down the drain.
Here’s how to get involved:
- Separate expired, damaged or unused medicines and remove personal information from packaging.
- Locate your nearest MyMediSAFE collection point via the website or QR code below.
- Drop off eligible medicines and used insulin pens at participating community pharmacies.
- Pharmacies and organisations interested in becoming a MyMediSAFE partner can register through the same website.
Scan the QR code below or visit the MyMediSAFE website to find your nearest participating collection point, check accepted items, and learn more about MyMediSAFE.
This press release was provided by MPS.
