The Biomedical Waste Management team plays a crucial role in safeguarding the environment by ensuring expired medicines are not treated or disposed of as general waste. Instead, they are managed according to the established guidelines and protocols of the Biomedical Waste Management Handling Rule 2016.

The list of expired medicines is collated by the Biomedical Engineer from all Districts for proper disposal. This process follows a centralized system, which involves District Medical and Health Officers, Storekeepers, and pharmacists and is validated by the District Drug Inspector as per the authorization given by the Additional State Drug Controller.

A disposal committee meeting is then convened internally, consisting of key stakeholders such as the Managing Director of MMDSL, the Directorate of Health & Services - MI, DHS (MCH & FW), and DHS Research, along with representatives from the Law department, Finance department, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, State Drugs Controller, State Nodal Officers BMWM and MMDSL Officers.

Once verified and approved by the Disposal Committee, an approved vendor with necessary compliances is tasked with the responsible disposal of all expired medicines, transporting them for treatment and disposal at secure land facilities. State authorities and the Biomedical Waste engineer oversee that the transportation is conducted safely to prevent any potential diversion.

They are also responsible for watching over the disposal process, adhering to stringent criteria, and confirming the arrival of medicines at the designated site.

This safe disposal routine is carried out quarterly, reflecting the ethical duty of State healthcare providers to uphold proper waste management and raise awareness about the risks associated with the haphazard disposal of medical waste.