A survey carried out by the Yliopisto Apteekki pharmacy chain reveals around an annual amount of 61,000 kilograms of unused medicines find their way to landfill sites and waste water plants.
Small amounts of medicine waste also find their way into ground water and the drinking water supply. Although these do not pose a danger to the public, they can seriously affect fish and other wildlife.
Medicines are considered as harmful waste and should be returned to pharmacies.
