New Delhi, May 9 -- The government is developing a set of guidelines for the safe disposal of expired or unused medicines to mitigate risks to public health and the environment, and prevent their potential diversion for resale.

This move follows India's top drug regulator -Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)- receiving representation about unsafe disposal and sumping of unused and expired pharmaceutical compounds into landfills, including in Delhi.

A guidance note prepared by the government, and seen by Mint, has suggested that 17 unused or expired medicines containing active ingredients such as Fentany, Fentanyl Citrate, Morphine Sulfate, Buprenorphine can be flushed down the sink or toilet to help prevent danger to peo...