Disposal of Hazardous Waste

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 July 2013

Thursday, 18 July 2013

Questions (735)

Denis Naughten

Question:

735. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the rationale for the disposal of unused medicines properly campaign organised by the Health Service Executive; the length of time this campaign has been running to date; where this campaign has operated and is currently in operation since the campaign’s initiation; if he will provide information on the total volume and an estimate of the retail monetary value of all such medicines collected by the HSE in each of its areas; the amount this campaign has cost the HSE to operate since inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36647/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Alex White)

The HSE has, from time to time, run campaigns in conjunction with community pharmacies to enable people to return out of date or unused medicines for disposal. This initiative called the DUMP Campaign ("Dispose of Unused Medication Properly") was originally established in 2002. As the HSE is responsible for the administration of the Disposal of Unused Medicines Properly Campaign, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.