Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Untaken medicine up 53 percent in 2011
By Yi Whan-woo
The total amount of leftover medicine collected for disposal from households across the country rose 53 percent to 348 tons in 2011 from 227 tons the previous year.
The Ministry of Environment has collected unused drugs from households to be incinerated since 2008 and the amount has steadily increased from 9.4 tons in the first year.
It began disposing of leftover drugs, following a study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Research, a unit of the ministry, which found 15 medical substances in the local water, including the Han River in 2007.
The government plans to run a nationwide campaign to promote the safe disposal of unused drugs to avoid heightening environmental risks.
Some of the ideas include setting a specific date every month to collect leftover drugs for disposal in addition to putting a notice on the prescription.
The government ran a pilot program last April in Seoul before expanding it to areas around Seoul and municipal cities a year later. The program was extended nationwide in July, 2010.