The waste and environment protection act 1990 make it an offence to dispose of medicines into the general sewage system. Unused or out of date medicines must be held in a safe holding and returned to the pharmacy or dispensing doctor who supplied them at the earliest opportunity.
In the event of death, drugs should be left in the residents home for 7 days following the death as a Coroners hearing may be required.
If you discover a blister pack that has been tampered with, it will need to be returned to the issuing pharmacy and another one re-issued. Please notify the office as soon as you suspect a blister pack has been tampered with.
For further information on medication management please review NICE Medication Management Guidelines