Do you know how to properly dispose of expired, unwanted, or
unused medications? A recent client had
some drugs that needed to be disposed of, and the FDA.gov site provided the following guidelines:
Guidelines for Drug Disposal
1. Read the specific disposal
instructions which accompany the drug
3. Disposing of drugs other than by flushing:
a. National
Take-Back Initiative, April 26, 2014, 10 am to 2 pm; collection
site research link provides the nearest city and place to turn in your
medication.
b. “Call your city or county government's household trash and
recycling service (see blue pages in phone book) to see if a take-back program
is available in your community.”
c. Check with your local police
department for drug take-back information.
d. Talk to your pharmacist can provide
you with disposal information and dispose of some medications for you.
4. “If no disposal instructions [are
provided] and no take-back program is available in your area, throw the drugs
in the household trash following these steps:
a. Remove them from their original
containers and mix them with an undesirable substance like coffee grounds or
kitty litter...”
b. Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can, or other
container to prevent the drug from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.
c. Then protect your identity by removing
your personal health information.
d. Use this method to dispose of
over-the-counter medication as well.
Proper disposal of drugs help prevent harm to others, pets, and our
environment.
