 |
 |
|
Proper Disposal of Unused Medications |
| Tracey Cousineau - Outreach Manager |
| 5/14/2008 |
Medication disposal has become a growing concern. Studies show that prescriptions and over the counter drugs are present in our nation's water supply and may cause environmental harm. Outdated or unusable drugs that are disposed of by flushing or pouring down a sink enter the environment. Unfortunately, waste water treatment plants are not designed to remove them. Disposing of medication properly is very important to protect our children, animals, the environment and water supply.
Medications may become not needed for many reasons such as a change in medication, change in dose, medication is outdated, patient has improved or patient has deceased. Whatever the reason, you can take a few small steps to make a huge impact in safeguarding lives and protecting the environment by disposing of unused medicines properly.
Another problem with having a supply of unused or outdated prescriptions is it creates an opportunity for illegal use. One in five teens report purposely misusing prescription drugs. Nearly half of them reported they obtained the medications from friends and relatives by raiding their medicine cabinet.
Follow these guidelines to dispose unused medications properly:
-
Prescription or over the counter medicines should not be flushed
down the toilet or poured down a sink
- Remove all personal identification from medicine bottles
- Mix all unused drugs with coffee grounds or kitty litter
- Place mixture in a sealed container and place in the trash
In Penobscot county there are scheduled disposal
events. You can contact the
Sheriff’s department at 942-7748 or your pharmacy to find out when
events will be in your area. If
you have any further questions, you can also contact the
If you have a topic that you would like me to write
about in an upcoming Senior Moments Article, please call me at 794-6700,
write to me at Health Access Network,