Drug companies may be encouraged to add information to their pharma labels about disposal of unwanted medicines after advice was given out in the US.

Writing for the Idaho Messenger Index, chief of police Steve Nebeker said local authorities are having trouble with this process because people are removing the peelable labels before dropping their unused medication off at designated points.

He explained that staff need to identify each medication, which is being made difficult by people writing over labels, tearing them off and mixing drugs in one bottle.

"Please leave the pills in the original bottles, keep the labels on the packages and do not cover up the name of the medication," Mr Nebecker commented.

The chief added that officials will remove any names themselves, so there is no issue with data safety.

Drug companies could consider adding warnings to their printed labels advising patients what to do with any medicines they do not need, which in this country would be to drop them off at the nearest pharmacy for disposal.

Denny Bros Ltd , 15 September 2011