Expired Medications

In the last few years, many newspapers and television stations have reported about the disposal of expired medications. For decades the public was advised to either flush medications down the toilet or put them in the trash. But recently scientists have learned that when medications are disposed of in the trash or down the drain, they can find their way into our waterways and have a negative impact on fish and other aquatic life, including deformities in the sexual development of frogs and fish. Therefore, sewer and trash disposal are no longer recommended.

The City of San Francisco has a new pilot disposal program funded by grants from pharmaceutical manufacturers. Visit one of the following pharmacies to properly dispose of unwanted or expired medicines.

1. Torgsyn Discount Pharmacy Inc.
5614 Geary Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 752-3737

2. Joe's Pharmacy
5199 Geary Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 751-2326

3. Franklin Pharmacy
1508 Franklin Street San Francisco, CA 94109
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 775-3917

4. Four Fifty Sutter Pharmacy
450 Sutter Street #712 San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 392-4137

5. Clay Medical Pharmacy
929 Clay St #103 San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 956-5456

6. Golden Gate Pharmacy
1844 Noriega Street San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 661-6903

7. Post Divisadero Medical Pharmacy
2299 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 346-2663

8. Charlie's Pharmacy
1101 Fillmore Street San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 567-0771

9. MOMS Pharmacy
4071 18th Street San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 255-2720

10. Visitacion Valley Pharmacy
100 Leland Avenue San Francisco, CA 94134
(415) 239-5811

11. Daniels Pharmacy
943 Geneva Avenue San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 584-2210

12. Central Drug Store
4494 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 585-0111

If you have sealed or opened medications that are unexpired or up to one year out of date, you may donate the medications to the Recycle AIDS Medication Program (RAMP). This program is not limited to AIDS medications. For more information, visit RAMP or call (415) 285-0606.

Learn More
If you have questions about San Francisco's new medicine disposal program, please call:

SF Environment
(415) 355-3700

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
(415) 695-7378