Pharmacists are calling for the introduction of a nationwide scheme that would result in the safe disposal of unused medicines.

According to the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), a DUMP (Disposal of Unused Medicines Safely) scheme would ensure the safe disposal of unused or out-of-date medicines.

It said that specialised collection and disposal services are required for the safe disposal of medicines and while the HSE had previously funded clinical waste collections in Dublin as part of a suicide prevention initiative, funding for this was withdrawn in 2013.

"We are calling on the HSE and local authorities to introduce a nationwide DUMP scheme that would encourage the public to return their unused medicines to pharmacies, which would have significant health and public safety benefits. The introduction of such a scheme is an important measure to prevent the problems associated with holding onto unused or out-of-date medicines," explained IPU president, Kathy Maher.

Every year in Ireland, some 4,000 children in Ireland are accidentally poisoned, while around 50 cases of suicide each year are due to drug overdoses. About 8,000 people also present to hospitals annually as a result of deliberate drug overdoses. In most of these cases, prescription or over the counter medications are involved.

"There are over 1.5 million adult visits to pharmacies every week. By encouraging patients to return their unused medicines to their local community pharmacy, thereby restricting access to unused medicines, a DUMP Scheme can reduce the risk of suicide, deliberate self-harm and accidental poisoning in children," Ms Maher insisted.

The call came as part of the IPU's pre-Budget submission. Other proposals in the submission include a phasing out of the prescription levy and an expansion of the role of the pharmacist, such as an expansion of the vaccination service currently available in pharmacies.