Introduction: High availability of expired medicine is not only a burden to a health rncare system but it also shows existence of a supply chain gap. So, it is imperative to rnexplore contributing factor for expiry at each stage of the supply chain. In Ethiopia, rnalthough there are reports that reveal the presence of expired medicines in the country, rninformation on the type and extent of medicines expired as well as its contributing rnfactor and disposal methods is scanty. The objectives of this study were therefore, to rndetermine extent (including financial value) and type of expired medicines, to explore rnthe reasons for expiry and to assess disposal practice of expired medicines in the rnhealth care facilities of South Gondar Zone. rnMethods: A sequential explanatory mixed method where a descriptive cross-sectional rnstudy complemented by using qualitative approach was conducted from July 8-2017 rnto July 7-2018. For the quantitative part, Microsoft excel was applied for the analysis. rnFor the qualitative part, data was collected through in-depth interview with the key rninformants and analyzed thematically. Previous records or reports of expired rnmedicines in all health facilities were used to determine the type and financial value rnof expired medicine that were received by health facilities of South Gondar Zone rnduring the fiscal year 2017/18.Eighteen key informants were also interviewed to rnexplore main reasons for medicines expiry within the health facilities and the disposal rnpractices applied. rnResults: Medicines worth of 2,304,830.51 Ethiopian birr were expired in public rnhealth facilities of South Gondar during the study period, giving expiry rate of 6.45 rn%. Of these, anti-infectives were the most commonly expired group of medicines. rnMedicines delivered for various programs particularly for HIV/AIDS had the highest rnshare in medicines expiry in term of value. Delivery of medicines through push rnsystem, delivery of near to expire medicines by supplier, and lack of communication rnand coordination in the health facilities were identified as major reasons for medicines rnexpiry. Burning of unused medicines in open container and pouring iv fluids into the rnhole were commonly used methods to disposed unused medicines. rnConclusion: To reduce expiry: making delivery based on consumption that has longer rnshelf life with most effective communication between health care structures should rntake to promote regular supply, and rational use of medicines. Disposing expired rnmedicine by adhering to the national standard on drug management protocols to stop rncontamination.