Every year UK homes store over 1900 tonnes of unwanted medicines, reports NHS England. Old tablets and liquids pose risks to children, pets and waterways. Fulham Palace Pharmacy offers a free NHS waste service so you can return items quickly and responsibly.
Our pharmacists accept prescription or over-the-counter products in any quantity. We log each item, remove patient details from packaging and place everything in sealed, bar-coded bins. Licensed waste contractors collect weekly and incinerate at high temperature, preventing landfill leaks.
- Arrive with medicines in a clear bag
- Hand them to the counter team
- Receive advice on safe storage and future ordering
- Leave knowing the products cannot harm anyone
The service covers Fulham, Kensington, Battersea, Putney, Hammersmith and Chelsea. No appointment is needed.
We accept tablets, capsules, creams, liquids, inhalers, patches and veterinary drugs. Pressurised inhalers are pierced under controlled conditions to capture gases. We currently cannot accept any sharp objects like needles, but you can contact your local council for help with this!
Royal Pharmaceutical Society guidance states that flushing medicines should be avoided. Instead, keep them in their original packs until hand-over. Scratch out your name for privacy. If labels list differing doses, bring the latest GP slip so we can update records.
Tips before visiting: gather all cupboards, check expiry dates, separate glass bottles to prevent breakage, and transport liquids upright. Families often plan returns during school pick-up to combine tasks. Carers may request a signed receipt for their files.
Last year over 2800 local residents used this service. Feedback shows shorter waiting times than large chain stores and higher satisfaction with the advice given.
