World Wisdom: Unused Medications

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Prescriptionand over the counter medication is needed to help resolve an array ofinfections, headaches, and other illnesses but what do you do oncethose medications are no longer needed or have expired? While someminor traces of medication are flushed into lakes and riversnaturally as it passes through our bodies, some consumers makematters worse by voluntarily flushing bottles of old medications downthe toilet. This is why antibiotics, hormones, and otherpharmaceuticals can be found in the water supply of more than 41million Americans, reportsshow. Medicationsthat are thrown in the trash can be equally as harmful since they canend up in landfills where animals can consume them or be exposed tosmall children or pharmaceutical abusers. These medications can alsopotentially harm natural plant life. Fortunatelythere are some eco-safe ways that you can dispose of your unwantedmedication properly so that you can reduce the number of negativeside effects.Participatein Take-Back ProgramsLikethe name suggest, medicine take-back programs require consumers totake back (i.e. return) their medications to participating locationsfor proper government-regulated disposal, usually via hightemperature incineration. Typically pharmacies and law enforcementfacilities will have active take-back programs all year long. Here,consumers can administer over-the-counter and prescription medicines(controlled substances may or may not be accepted) in designated dropboxes. You can also contact your city's Public Works department orrecycling center to see if they can direct you to a take-back programcloser to your community. Remember to strip off any identifyinginformation on prescription pill bottles for safety reasons beforeyou donate your expired medications. ContactLocal Hospitals, Urgent Care FacilitiesIfa take-back program does not exist in your community—which caneasily happen since funding for permanent or temporary take-backprograms is not always available—then you can try to contact yourlocal hospital and see if they'll properly dispose of your oldmedication. All hospitals and medical centers are required to havebio hazard containers specifically designed to store old medicationsand other hazardous supplies like needles that will later beincinerated. These places should gladly take them free of charge.Ifyour local hospital does not accept your expired medication, you cancontact your local trash service. It might have a separate wastefacility that will incinerate the medications for you. Do note thatmost trash facilities do charge a small fee for theirmedicine-disposing services.DilutePotency of MedicationsIfall of the options fall through and you have no choice but to throwyour medications in the trash, then at the very least you can try anddegrade the medication's potency before you dispose of it. Forexample, liquid medication should be mixed with sawdust or flour.Pills should be mixed with kitty litter or coffee grounds for thesame effect and to make it seems less appealing to animals. It mightalso be a good idea to put all contents—including medications andkitty litter for example—in an air tight bag so that it doesn’trisk spilling out during transport to the landfill.BrendaWatson is a freelance writer for healthinsurancequotes.org.She specializes in diet, nutrition, and medicine safety. She welcomesyour comments.