Published on Apr 03, 2025
If you peek into your medicine cabinet right now, you might find a mix of prescription bottles, over-the-counter pills, and half-used cough syrups. We often stash medicines at home and forget about them. However, handling medications correctly is vital – not just to make sure they work as intended, but also to keep our families safe. Medication mishaps can happen to anyone, and they’re more common than you might think. In fact, a landmark report found that about 250,000 Australians are hospitalised each year due to medicine-related problems, and another 400,000 end up in emergency departments – with at least half of these incidents being preventable. The good news is that a few simple habits can prevent most medication accidents.
Whether you pick up your prescriptions in person or order prescriptions online, once those medicines are in your home, it’s up to you to store and use them safely. This friendly guide will walk you through practical tips on medication safety at home – from keeping pills in a cool, dry place out of reach of children, to checking expiry dates and organising your daily doses, to disposing of old medicines properly. We’ll focus on advice specific to Australian households, including how our local pharmacies can help (ever heard of the Return Unwanted Medicines program?). Along the way, we’ll also mention how modern conveniences like telehealth and online prescriptions fit into safe medication management. Let’s dive in and make your home safer and your medicines more effective!
Medications are meant to heal and help, but if they’re not handled correctly at home, they can cause harm. Think of common scenarios: a toddler gets into Grandpa’s blood pressure pills, or you accidentally take a double dose because you forgot you’d already had your tablet this morning. These mistakes can lead to serious health scares. Young children are especially at risk – in Australia, kids under 5 are at the highest risk of accidental poisoning from things like medicines, which is why all medicines should be stored out of their sight and reach (ideally locked away). Pets can also sniff out and chew on pills left within reach, with dangerous outcomes.
Even if no one in your household is likely to ingest the wrong medicine, improper storage can mean your medication doesn’t work when you need it. Heat, sunlight, and humidity can degrade many medicines, making them less effective or even unsafe. Likewise, ignoring expiry dates or keeping unused medications “just in case” can be risky. By staying on top of medication safety, you protect your loved ones from accidental poisonings and ensure your treatments will do their job. In short, a few simple precautions in how you store, take, and dispose of your medicines can literally save lives – or at least save you an unnecessary trip to the hospital. Plus, safe practices help avoid environmental contamination and medication waste. Let’s look at exactly how to keep your home medication-safe.
One of the golden rules for medicine safety is proper storage. Most medicines should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. High heat, moisture, and light can cause drugs to break down or lose potency. For example, storing a bottle of tablets on a sunny windowsill or in a steamy bathroom cabinet is not a good idea. Instead, choose a spot like a bedroom dresser drawer or a high shelf in a closet. The general recommendation in Australia is to store medicines below 25°C (check your packaging – many labels say “Store below 25°C”) and away from humidity. This helps ensure the medicine remains effective until its expiry date.
By storing medicines properly, you ensure they stay effective and safe. It also means when you order online prescriptions and have medicine delivered to your home, you should plan to bring the package inside promptly – don’t let it bake in the sun on your doorstep. Many online pharmacy services in Australia deliver medicines, so track your delivery and grab it from the heat as soon as possible. Proper storage starts from the moment the medication arrives in your hands.
Kids are naturally curious, and to a toddler, a bottle of colourful pills might look like lollies. One of the most important aspects of medication safety at home is making sure that children (and pets) cannot access your medicines. This goes beyond just putting things on a high shelf – little climbers can be surprisingly resourceful – so locking medicines away is the safest approach if you have young children in the house. Here are some child-safety tips for medications at home:
Despite our best efforts, accidents can happen. Make sure you have the Poisons Information Centre number handy: in Australia it’s 13 11 26 (available 24/7). If a child or anyone in your home may have ingested something they shouldn’t, you can call that number for immediate advice. And of course, in any serious emergency (difficulty breathing, unconscious, etc.), call 000 right away. Prevention is key, but being prepared for an emergency is also part of safety.
When was the last time you cleaned out your medicine drawer? Medications don’t last forever – each comes with an expiry date (use-by date) printed on the box or bottle. It might be on the pharmacy label, on the bottle’s side or bottom, or at the crimp of a tube. It’s important to check these dates regularly and remove any medicines that have expired or that you no longer need. Using medicine past its expiry date is risky: it may have lost potency (so you don’t get the full dose you need), or it may have chemically changed and could be unsafe. Taking old, expired medications can cause harm or even be dangerous, especially for critical medications that you rely on for serious conditions.
Here are some tips for managing expiries and keeping track:
By staying on top of expiry dates, you ensure you’re always using medicine that is safe and effective. It also reduces clutter and confusion in your cabinet. Next, we’ll look at ways to keep your daily doses organised so you never miss a pill or take one too many.
Managing multiple medications or even just remembering to take a daily tablet can be challenging, especially if you’ve got a busy routine. This is where pill organisers (also called dosette boxes or pill minders) come in handy. These are those plastic pill boxes with compartments for each day of the week – sometimes even divided by time of day (morning, noon, night). They can be a lifesaver for forgetful types or anyone who needs to take different pills at different times.
Using a pill organiser is simple: once a week, you fill each compartment with the pills you need to take that day/time. Then, instead of juggling multiple pill bottles every day, you just open that day’s slot and take what’s inside. This has a few benefits:
Some tips for using pill organisers effectively:
In addition to organisers, maintain an up-to-date medication list. This is simply a record of all the medicines you take, including the dose and how often. Keep a copy in your wallet or phone. It’s incredibly useful in medical appointments, emergencies, or if you ever use a new healthcare service (like a new telehealth provider or specialist – you can quickly tell them what you’re on). It also helps you track everything for yourself. As one tip: if your medicines are crucial for your health, consider carrying a list of them with you in case of an emergency. This is recommended by health authorities and can be literally lifesaving information for paramedics or doctors if you’re in an accident or can’t communicate well.
Staying organised with your medications ensures you follow your treatment plan correctly. It reduces the chance of errors like skipping doses or taking an extra dose by mistake. With the logistical stuff handled, you can focus on getting better and not stressing over “Did I take my pill today or not?”. And if you ever find managing your medicines overwhelming, have a chat with your GP or pharmacist – they can offer tools like the Home Medicines Review or other support to simplify things.
Medications only help if you use them the right way. One of the most important safety measures is to follow the dosage instructions given by your doctor or printed on the pharmacy label, exactly as directed. This might sound obvious, but in the rush of daily life, it’s easy to slip up – taking a dose at the wrong time, or forgetting a dose, or even taking an extra because you think you need it. Here’s how to stay on track with your doses:
By following dosage instructions exactly, you maximize the benefit of the medicine and minimise the risks. Many medication-related hospitalisations occur because people didn’t use the medicine as directed. So take the time to read the instructions, set up reminders, and when in doubt, consult a professional. This way, you’ll get the most out of your prescriptions with the least chance of unpleasant surprises.
So you’ve sorted through your medicine cabinet and found a bunch of expired or leftover meds – what now? Throwing old medicines in the bin or washing them down the sink might seem like a quick solution, but stop right there. Disposing of medicines improperly can be dangerous to others and harmful to the environment. Pills tossed in the trash can be found by children or pets, or could leach chemicals into landfill and waterways. Flushing drugs down the toilet can contaminate water supplies and harm wildlife. The good news: Australia has a safe, easy and free solution for disposing of medicines.
Use the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) program: In Australia, you can return expired or unwanted medicines to any community pharmacy for free safe disposal. This is part of the nationwide RUM Project, which provides special disposal bins in pharmacies. Most pharmacies have a “RUM bin” (usually kept behind the counter) where they place returned medicines for proper destruction. This program covers all kinds of medicines – prescription meds, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements, herbal medicines, creams and ointments, even pet medications. Essentially, any medicine you no longer need can go in the RUM bin rather than in your household garbage.
What to do: Gather your unwanted or expired medications (keep them in their packaging if possible so the pharmacist can see what each item is). Take them to your local pharmacy and let the staff know you have medicines to dispose of. They’ll usually handle it from there – often they will put them in the RUM bin for you, or they might hand you the bin to drop them in. If you have any strong painkillers or other potentially misused drugs, the pharmacist may handle those separately (they sometimes store certain returns securely), but the key is give all unwanted meds to the pharmacist. It’s a no-questions-asked service and completely free. The pharmacy doesn’t resell or reuse them; the medicines are collected and incinerated safely at high temperatures through the RUM program’s procedures, keeping chemicals out of our environment.
Some additional points on disposal and decluttering your meds:
By disposing of medicines responsibly, you prevent potential poisonings, avoid misuse, and help protect the environment. It feels good knowing you’ve cleaned house safely. The RUM program has collected and destroyed millions of kilos of unwanted medicines in Australia – a big win for safety and sustainability. So next time you finish a course of medicine or find an old bottle in the cupboard, return it to your pharmacy. It’s easy and you might even get a thankful smile from the pharmacist for doing the right thing.
(If you have a lot of unused meds because your treatment changed, that’s a cue to discuss with your doctor about only getting what you need. With services offering prescriptions online, you might be able to get smaller amounts more frequently rather than large quantities that go unused. Always tailor it to what’s safest for you.)
Medication safety isn’t something you have to figure out all by yourself. Australian healthcare offers plenty of support, so make use of it. Pharmacists are medication experts and can answer questions about how to take or store your medicines. Your GP or a telehealth doctor can clarify instructions or adjust your treatments if you’re having trouble. For example, if a certain dosing schedule is too hard to manage, speak up – there may be alternatives or a simpler regimen. Communication is key.
Remember that telehealth and online prescription services are now widely available in Australia, which means help is often just a phone call or a few clicks away. If you’re ever unsure about a medicine or you realise you’ve run out of repeats on a prescription, you can book a quick telehealth consultation rather than waiting weeks to see someone. According to the Department of Health, electronic prescriptions (digital scripts sent via SMS/email) are now widely used and support telehealth consultations, enabling you to receive needed medicines without a paper script. This is incredibly handy if you discover an important medication in your cabinet has expired – you can arrange a renewal online and get a new supply delivered or ready for pickup at your pharmacy in no time.
Key point: Never feel embarrassed to ask for help regarding your medicines. It’s far safer to double-check and be sure. Healthcare professionals would much rather answer a quick question than have you take a medicine incorrectly. Even late at night, you have options: the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) for emergencies, or healthdirect’s 24-hour hotline (1800 022 222) for general health advice, can guide you if you’re in doubt about what to do.
By using the resources available – from your local pharmacist’s advice to modern online GP services – you can confidently manage your medications at home. Safe medication practices are a team effort: you + your healthcare providers working together. With the right knowledge and support, medication safety at home becomes second nature.
Now that we’ve covered storing, using, and disposing of medicines properly, you’re well equipped to keep your household medication-safe. These habits protect children and pets, ensure your medicines remain effective, and contribute to your own health by making sure you take medications correctly. It might seem like a lot to remember, but these practices quickly become routine. And the peace of mind you get – knowing that you’re avoiding preventable accidents and that your pills will do their job when you need them – is well worth the effort.
Medication safety at home is all about being responsible with those little capsules, tablets, and bottles that take care of us. With a bit of care in how you store them, attentiveness in how you take them, and responsibility in how you dispose of them, you can make your home safer and get the maximum benefit from your medicines. So next time you fill a script (maybe even via an online prescription for convenience), you’ll know exactly what to do when you bring it home! Stay safe and healthy.
Q: What is the safest way to dispose of old or unwanted medicines in Australia?
The safest way is to return them to your local pharmacy. All pharmacies in Australia participate in the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) program, allowing you to drop off expired or unused medications for free safe disposal. Do not throw old medicines in the bin or flush them down the toilet, as that can be dangerous to others and harmful to the environment. Simply take the medicines to a pharmacist, and they will place them in a special RUM disposal bin for proper destruction.
Q: Where should I store my medications at home?
Store medicines in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight – for example, a high cupboard in a bedroom or hallway, rather than the bathroom or kitchen. Keep them in their original containers with the lids tightly closed. Make sure they are out of reach and sight of children (preferably in a locked cabinet if you have young kids). Unless the medicine’s instructions say so, you generally shouldn’t refrigerate medicines; only certain drugs need refrigeration, and your pharmacist will tell you if that’s the case. Avoid hot spots like near stoves or in cars, as excessive heat can damage many medications.
Q: Is it safe to use medication after its expiry date?
No – you shouldn’t use medicines past their expiry (use-by) date. Over time, medicines can lose their effectiveness or even become unsafe due to chemical changes. For critical medications (like EpiPens, insulin, heart medicine), using an expired dose might not work in an emergency, which can be very dangerous. Always check the expiry date on the packaging, and if a medicine is out-of-date, dispose of it and get a new supply. If you accidentally take an expired medicine and are worried, talk to a pharmacist or doctor for advice – but in most cases, the best plan is to replace expired medicines before they’re needed.
Q: What should I do if I miss a dose or accidentally take the wrong dose?
If you miss a dose, the general advice is to take it as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time for your next dose. If the next dose is soon, skip the missed one and continue on schedule. Do not double up doses to make up for a missed one. For example, if you forgot your morning pill and only realize at dinner time, just take your evening dose and skip the missed morning dose (unless your medicine’s consumer info leaflet says otherwise). If you accidentally take more than the recommended dose, or the wrong medicine, seek advice immediately – you can call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26 for guidance. They might tell you to observe for certain symptoms or get medical help. When in doubt, or if you feel unwell after a medication mistake, call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department. It’s always better to be cautious with any medication error.
Q: Can I really get prescriptions online in Australia, and how does that work?
Yes, you can! Australia has embraced electronic prescribing and telehealth. This means you can have a consultation with a GP via phone or video call (telehealth), and if you need a medicine, the doctor can send you an online prescription (an electronic prescription). Typically, you’ll receive a SMS or email with a QR code or a link – this is your e-script. You can take that to any pharmacy (just show them the code on your phone), or even send it to an online pharmacy, to get your medication. Electronic prescriptions are now widely used and were expanded greatly in 2020 to support remote consultations. They are just as valid as paper prescriptions. This system makes it very convenient if you can’t get to a doctor in person – for example, if you’re at home unwell or living in a remote area, you can still obtain needed medicines safely and legally. Just ensure you use a trusted telehealth service with registered Australian doctors. Keep in mind, even with online prescriptions, all the same rules of medication safety at home apply once you have the medicine in hand! Always follow the doctor’s instructions on use, and ask the pharmacist any questions when you pick up your meds.
This medical blog provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your regular doctor for specific medical concerns. The content is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication and may change. While we strive for accuracy, we make no warranties regarding completeness or reliability. Use the information at your own risk. Links to other websites are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily representative of any institutions.
Request prescription online now
Start Here