CDSCO Issues Guidelines for Disposal of Expired Drugs
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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Supply Chain Accountability: BEFORE, disposal was largely unorganized, with households and local pharmacies dumping medicines into municipal waste. NOW, reverse logistics are mandatory; retailers must return expired drugs within 30 days, and manufacturers must safely dispose of them within 6 months.
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Disposal Techniques: BEFORE, expired drugs routinely ended up in standard landfills. NOW, environmentally sound methods like encapsulation, inertisation (waste immobilization), and controlled incineration are legally mandated.
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Handling of High-Risk Drugs: BEFORE, there were no separate protocols for potent opioids or hazardous medicines. NOW, a dedicated 'Flush List' identifies 17 specific high-risk drugs that must be flushed immediately upon expiration to prevent accidental exposure and misuse.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
With Reference ToWith reference to the 2025 CDSCO Guidelines for the Disposal of Expired Drugs, consider the following statements: 1. It introduces the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for pharmaceutical manufacturers in India. 2. The guidelines strictly prohibit the flushing of all types of expired and unused medicines to prevent water pollution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?