Does anyone know who I can send/donate epipen type things to?

[spudulike1]

My DD has just finished taking growth hormone injections. We have 2 injection pens (the refillable ones). one has been used but they have new needles every time etc so no worry of cross contamination, but the other is new and was sent in a delivery by mistake and the driver wouldn't take it back. I cant take them to the hospital as they will be just thrown away and it seems like such a waste as they are not cheap. we also have several boxes of needles for them. Does anyone know of charities that take this type of thing? TIA

I don't think anywhere will recycle medicines.

its not the medicines themselves, they are pens you put the vials in.

It’s not possible to do this, as the prevention of this small amount of waste is outweighed by the downsides (the risks of this going wrong). For example medication not stored correctly, ending up being used incorrectly etc.

At the end of the day this item needs to be prescribed, not donated, because the person who ends up having it needs to have their medical history scrutinised to ensure it is necessary, safe and they have all the information they need to administer it.

Just return it to the hospital pharmacy for destruction.

Even if it’s just the device, there are strict laws about medical devices. Imagine if it was damaged and didn’t deliver the medication for example.

what a shame. it seems like such a waste

It seems wasteful, but it’s definitely not your fault 🙂

The bulk of waste when it comes to medicines is over ordering things (stockpiling) and also health professionals not asking questions about what is actually being taken and ensuring that lists of medicines are up to date, quantities are appropriate etc.

So don’t worry this!