Andorra Turns Pharmacies into Collection Points for Expired Meds and Sharps

The Andorran government and the Official College of Pharmacists of Andorra (COFA) have established a partnership to turn all 59 pharmacies across the country into collection points for expired medicines and household sharps waste, such as needles used in diabetes or growth hormone treatments.

Environment Minister Guillem Casal and COFA president Jesús Robinat presented the agreement on Thursday. It builds on existing drop-off options at primary care centres (CAPs) by creating a dedicated circuit at pharmacies for secure storage and management. Pharmacies will supply containers, provide user guidance, and handle daily operations. Full containers will return to pharmacies for safekeeping until collection.

The government will fund collections from both CAPs and pharmacies through a contractor chosen via a tender in September. The full network will activate only after the tender awards the service, including sharps handling. Until then, household sharps lack a formal disposal route, so residents should store them securely in pharmacy-provided containers. The agreement also frees pharmacies from arranging their own expired drug waste services.

Casal described the move as having a dual benefit: reducing health risks for users delivering poor-condition medicines or sharps, and protecting the environment through proper composting and treatment. Robinat praised pharmacies' proximity to citizens, noting the deal allows them to contribute to public health duties, patient safety, and environmental protection.

The voluntary initiative represents Andorra's first pharmacy-based sharps collection system. Details on exact rollout timelines beyond the September tender remain pending.