Health Care Habits Everyone Should Adopt: The Right Ways To Dispose of Unused Medicines

Today’s drugs can work miracles. There are pills and potions for almost everything that ails us. Thanks to the pharmaceutical breakthroughs science has afforded us, relief is often as close as our doctor’s office, or the neighborhood drug store. Health-care demands go beyond the patient, though. What happens when the “cure” is no longer needed? What is the proper way to dispose of unused medicines?

Do you flush them down the sink or toilet, or simply throw them in the trash? Not so fast. We’ve learned more about that, too. We now know that getting rid of medications we no longer need or take carelessly or incorrectly can pose serious threats to the environment, our pets, and even other people (i.e. children). Some drugs – in particular narcotics and pain killers – carry the added risk of having the potential to be abused.

So, what’s the responsible patient or caregiver to do? The United States Environmental Agency (EPA) advises taking them to a drug take-back event. Local trash and recycling services can usually provide date-specific information about such programs in your area. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has designated September 27, 2014, as the next National Prescription Drug Take-back Day. Community collection site locations will be posted on their website, September 1st.

If you cannot find or attend such a take-back event, the EPA suggests:

  • Taking the meds out of their original containers.
  • Mixing them with an undesirable substance, (cat litter, used coffee grounds, etc).
  • Pouring them into a disposable, lidded container, or a seal-able plastic bag.
  • Make sure all personal information has been removed from labels.
  • Throw them in the trash.

Health care concerns aren’t just about the patient. Those powerful pills and potions might be good for what ails us – but they should always be handled with care.

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