Andorra Turns Pharmacies into Collection Points for Expired Meds and Sharps

The Andorran government has signed an agreement with the Official College of Pharmacists of Andorra (COFA), securing unanimous participation from all 59 pharmacies in the Principality to serve as collection points for expired medicines and household sharps waste, such as syringes used in diabetes treatments.

Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Guillem Casal and COFA president Jesús Robinat announced the deal on Thursday. It builds on existing drop-off options at primary care centres (CAPs) by adding pharmacies, which will supply free, secure containers—rigid, puncture-resistant, and waterproof—for patients buying related medicines. Users can return filled containers to any participating pharmacy for safe storage pending regulated disposal.

All 59 pharmacies have voluntarily joined the initiative, which the government will fully fund and manage. While medical centre sharps already have a dedicated handling process, household versions previously lacked any formal domestic route. Pharmacies will also take on awareness efforts and benefit from reduced burdens, as the government assumes responsibility for transporting expired medicines—previously managed independently by pharmacies—along with all service costs.

A tender for a specialised waste management contractor is set for September. The selected firm will collect sharps from pharmacies and expired drugs from CAPs and pharmacies alike, establishing a unified logistics system. In the interim, the government will distribute specific home storage containers to the public for safe sharps handling.

Casal stressed the public health gains from preventing mishandled sharps or degraded drugs, alongside environmental protections through proper treatment. Robinat pointed to pharmacies' frontline accessibility in advancing patient safety and sustainability. The agreement addresses special waste rules for these materials, creating Andorra's first structured network for household sharps, though full rollout depends on the tender result.