Kerala nPROUD Programme: India’s First Government-Led Initiative for Safe Drug Disposal
Kerala has introduced the nPROUD Programme (New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs) to ensure the scientific collection and safe disposal of unused and expired medicines. Launched by the State Drugs Control Department on 22 February 2025, the initiative aims to prevent environmental pollution, health risks and antimicrobial resistance caused by improper disposal of pharmaceutical waste.
The programme was initially implemented in Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat in Kozhikode district. It provides households with options to hand over unused medicines through door-to-door collection and designated blue collection boxes. Haritha Karma Sena members and local bodies support the collection process, while collected medicines are sent for scientific treatment at an authorised waste-processing facility.
Kerala became the first Indian state to implement this type of government-led programme for collecting and scientifically disposing of unused medicines. By February 2026, the initiative had collected approximately 30 tonnes of unused and expired medicines from households and clinics in its initial areas.
What Is the nPROUD Programme?
nPROUD stands for New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs. It is an initiative of the Kerala State Drugs Control Department designed to manage unused, expired and unwanted medicines safely.
Medicines that remain unused in households or expire in pharmacies can become a source of environmental contamination if they are thrown into ordinary waste, buried or burned without proper treatment.
The nPROUD programme establishes a collection and disposal system to address this problem. It also aims to reduce the possibility of expired medicines being reused or misused.
The programme is an upgraded version of Kerala’s earlier PROUD initiative, which was introduced in 2019 for the scientific disposal of unused medicines.
Key Features of Kerala’s nPROUD Initiative
The programme combines household collection, permanent drop-off facilities and special collection campaigns.
| Feature | Details |
| Full Form | New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs |
| Launched By | Kerala State Drugs Control Department |
| Launch Date | 22 February 2025 |
| State | Kerala |
| Initial Implementation Areas | Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat |
| Collection Support | Haritha Karma Sena and local bodies |
| Collection Method | Door-to-door collection and blue collection boxes |
| Commercial Disposal Charge | ₹40 per kg, as reported for commercial establishments |
| Treatment Facility | Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited (KEIL), Ernakulam |
| Main Objective | Safe disposal of unused and expired medicines |
How Does the nPROUD Medicine Collection System Work?
The initiative uses multiple collection methods to make it easier for people and commercial establishments to dispose of unwanted medicines.
1. Door-to-Door Collection
Haritha Karma Sena members and trained volunteers support the collection of unused and expired medicines from households.
They also spread awareness about the risks associated with improper disposal of pharmaceutical waste. Household collection is provided without a collection charge under the programme.
2. Blue Collection Boxes at Medical Establishments
Blue collection boxes are installed at designated permanent collection points, including medical establishments.
People can deposit their unused and expired medicines in these boxes instead of throwing them into regular household waste.
3. Go Blue Day Campaign
The programme also includes special collection drives known as Go Blue Day.
During these campaigns, designated collection activities are organised at selected locations to encourage public participation and increase awareness about responsible medicine disposal.
4. Collection from Commercial Establishments
The programme also covers pharmaceutical waste generated by commercial establishments, including:
- Retail medical stores
- Wholesale medicine suppliers
- Hospitals
- Clinics
These establishments are required to deliver unused and expired medicines to designated collection centres. A disposal charge of ₹40 per kilogram was reported for commercial operators such as retailers, wholesalers and hospitals.
Scientific Disposal of Medicines Through KEIL
After collection, unused and expired medicines are sent for scientific treatment at Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited (KEIL) in Ernakulam.
KEIL operates a waste treatment facility used for the scientific disposal of collected medicines. The Kerala Health Department states that the treatment process is carried out at a facility approved by the relevant Central and State Environment Departments.
According to the Kerala government’s information on nPROUD, unused medicines are required to be destroyed through incineration at a temperature of 1,200°C.
This controlled disposal process helps prevent medicines from entering ordinary waste streams and reduces the risks associated with improper handling.
Why Is Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Important?
Unused and expired medicines can create environmental and public health problems when they are disposed of carelessly.
Environmental Pollution
Medicines thrown into open spaces, soil or water bodies can introduce pharmaceutical substances into the environment. Improper disposal may contaminate water sources and affect ecosystems.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Improper disposal of antibiotics and other medicines can contribute to the spread of antimicrobial substances into the environment. This can create conditions that may encourage antimicrobial resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms develop the ability to survive medicines that were previously effective against them.
Risk of Misuse and Reuse
Expired and unused medicines left in households or discarded carelessly may be collected, reused or misused. A proper collection system helps reduce this risk.
Public Health Protection
Scientific disposal reduces the chances of accidental exposure to medicines and limits the risks associated with uncontrolled pharmaceutical waste.
From PROUD to nPROUD: Kerala’s Earlier Initiative
Before nPROUD, Kerala had introduced an initiative called PROUD (Programme on Removal of Unused Drugs) in 2019.
The earlier programme focused on collecting unused and expired medicines and sending them for scientific destruction. It was initially implemented in selected areas, including parts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.
However, the initiative faced financial and logistical challenges that restricted its wider implementation.
The nPROUD programme was developed as an improved system with greater public participation, organised collection facilities and support from local bodies.
| Particulars | PROUD | nPROUD |
| Full Form | Programme on Removal of Unused Drugs | New Programme for Removal of Unused Drugs |
| Introduction | 2019 | 2025 |
| Main Focus | Collection and scientific destruction of unused medicines | Expanded collection and disposal system |
| Collection Network | Earlier collection drives and boxes | Household collection, permanent boxes and special campaigns |
| Implementation | Limited areas in Kerala | Initially Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat |
The earlier PROUD programme demonstrated the need for a structured medicine disposal system. nPROUD builds on that experience with a broader collection mechanism.
Progress of nPROUD: 30 Tonnes of Medicines Collected
The initial implementation of nPROUD produced measurable results.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on 16 February 2026, approximately 30 tonnes of unused and expired medicines had been collected from households and clinics in Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat.
The collection included:
- Around 26 tonnes during the initial campaign phase.
- Approximately 4 additional tonnes collected over the following months.
The collection campaign received support from Haritha Karma Sena members, and blue collection boxes were installed to provide permanent disposal points.
The Kerala Drugs Control Department also prepared a proposal for expanding the programme across the state. The reported plan involved introducing collection campaigns and setting up collection boxes in local bodies in phases, subject to administrative approval.
National Significance of Kerala’s nPROUD Programme
Kerala’s nPROUD initiative is significant because it addresses an often-overlooked part of healthcare management: the safe disposal of medicines after they are no longer needed.
The programme has also attracted attention from other states. According to a December 2024 report by The New Indian Express, health departments in Delhi and Karnataka had expressed interest in adopting a similar model.
Its approach combines public participation, local-government support and scientific waste treatment. If implemented effectively in more regions, the model could help strengthen pharmaceutical waste management across India.
However, statewide expansion and adoption by other states should be distinguished from the programme’s initial implementation in Kerala.
Conclusion
The Kerala nPROUD Programme is an important government-led initiative for the scientific collection and safe disposal of unused and expired medicines. Introduced by the State Drugs Control Department on 22 February 2025, it initially covered Kozhikode Corporation and Ulliyeri Panchayat.
With support from Haritha Karma Sena, local bodies and designated waste-treatment facilities, the programme provides a structured alternative to unsafe medicine disposal. The collection of approximately 30 tonnes of unused and expired medicines by February 2026 demonstrates the scale of its initial implementation.
The initiative also builds on Kerala’s earlier PROUD programme of 2019 and highlights the importance of pharmaceutical waste management in protecting public health and the environment.
