Guide

Expired Medication and Used Needles in Quebec: Return Them Safely

Return medication to a pharmacy, use an appropriate sharps container and act promptly after an accidental needle-stick.

After a needle-stick from a used syringe: wash the wound with soap and water without deliberately making it bleed, then obtain a medical assessment promptly—preferably within two hours under Quebec guidance. Tell staff immediately that the injury involved a used syringe.

Expired or unused medication

Return it to a pharmacy in Quebec. Do not flush it, pour it into a sink or place it in recycling or ordinary garbage without official instructions. Keep products in closed packaging and ask the pharmacy how to protect personal information on labels without mixing medications.

Needles used at home

Obtain a rigid sharps container from a pharmacy, CLSC or participating collection point. Place the sharp in it immediately after use without recapping, bending or breaking it. Close the container at its marked fill line and return it to an approved collection point.

A syringe found in public

Keep children and animals away. Do not pick it up with bare hands or put it in ordinary garbage. Contact the municipality, local public-health service or site operator. If local instructions ask you to move it, follow the specified method and container exactly.

Prepare for the exposure assessment

Record the time, location, depth of injury, visible blood and first aid already completed. Bring vaccination information if readily available, but do not delay care while looking for it.

Safe medication disposal — Quebec.ca (French) · Used syringes and needle-sticks — Quebec.ca (French)

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Official sources are linked in the guide. Reviewed August 29, 2026; confirm current instructions and deadlines with the responsible authority.

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