On March 5, 2026, a Roundtable Meeting on the topic “Safe Disposal of Medicines” was held at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University. The event was organized by the Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry of the School of Pharmacy. The meeting brought together representatives of the academic and scientific community as well as practitioners to discuss current issues related to the safe disposal of medicines and medical waste.

The Roundtable Meeting was attended by representatives of the JSC “Scientific Center for Anti-Infectious Drugs”, the Kazakhstan-Russian Medical University, as well as the teaching staff of the Department of Pharmacognosy with the Course of Botany of Asfendiyarov KazNMU.

The main objective of the event was to discuss modern approaches to the safe disposal of medicines that have lost their consumer properties or expired, as well as to consider environmental aspects of pharmaceutical waste management. The disposal of medicines is regulated at the legislative level and requires that unused or expired medicines be destroyed by specialized licensed organizations. The rules for the destruction of medicines and medical devices that have become unusable, expired, falsified, or otherwise do not comply with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan are regulated by Order No. 114 of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 12, 2023.

The issue of existing legislative initiatives and practices in the Republic of Kazakhstan regarding the management and disposal of medicines and medical waste remains highly relevant. This discussion aims to expand understanding of the legislative measures taken at the state level to prevent improper management of pharmaceutical and medical waste, taking into account international practices, administrative measures, and recommendations of international organizations.

Currently, the destruction of medicines is an important issue not only for healthcare but also for environmental protection and public safety. Improper disposal contributes to the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, creates risks of accidental poisoning or illegal use of medicines and leads to contamination of water and soil with toxic substances.

During the Roundtable Meeting participants reviewed existing regulatory requirements and international experience in the environmentally safe disposal of medicines and medical devices.

Representatives of the JSC “Scientific Center for Anti-Infectious Drugs” (A.A. Kaliymbekova, Chief Specialist of the GxP Quality Assurance Service Department) shared practical experience aimed at improving measures for the safe disposal of medicines and medical devices, as well as possibilities for addressing these issues through cooperation with specialized organizations.

Representatives of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry (A.K. Boshkayeva, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Head of the Department), as well as representatives of the Kazakhstan-Russian Medical University (F.E. Kayupova, Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Head of the Department of Pharmacy; Marzhan Bauyrzhankyzy, Senior Lecturer, Master of Technical Sciences) delivered presentations on legislative regulation of medicine disposal and proper disposal of pharmaceutical products in laboratory settings.

The Roundtable Meeting was held in an atmosphere of active professional dialogue. Participants exchanged views and practical experience and discussed promising areas for further cooperation in the field of safe handling and disposal of medicines and medical devices.

Such events contribute to strengthening cooperation between organizations and to developing environmental awareness and responsible attitudes toward pharmaceutical waste management.