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An unused drug (U.D.) is described as a drug which is purchased, whether according to a prescription or not, but which is not taken. In the past few years, French people have acquired the habit of returning U.D.s to pharmacies. Nevertheless, few studies have been performed to define their typical features and the motivations of these individuals. A descriptive study was carried out in 1/5 of the pharmacies in Puy de Dôme (France) over three 1 week periods between February and June 1998. 377 people (that is, 82% of those who bring U.D. back to the pharmacies) accepted to participate in this study. The main results are as follows:the U.D. are primarily brought back by women (of all ages);these women mainly return U.D. from the family medicine cabinet;the donations result essentially from “the force of habit”, “cleaning out the family medicine cabinet” and also, although in lesser proportion, for “humanitarian reasons”.This behaviour is contradictory with the communication messages of Cyclamed, the official French association whose mission is to collect drug waste and unused drugs in order to preserve the environment and to promote energy development and valorisation.