Friday, March 4, 2016

By Kathleen Cox


Many expired or unused prescription medications lie idly in cabinets in most homes today. Every day that they stay there is the day that they are at risk of abuse or misuse. Many disposal methods are available for one to choose from. However, one should know that not all medications can be disposed through any method. Here are some useful tips on pharmaceutical disposal that one can follow.

There is the risk of misuse or abuse of unused or expired medications if they are left in the home. No adverse effects result from most prescription medicines if consumed by the wrong people. However, some medications can have very serious effects on the wrong user. Apart from that, accidental or intentional consumption of prescription medications by the elderly and children is also possible. If that happens, the extreme situation could result into death of the individual.

Like stated above, not all methods are suitable for all kinds of medication. Instructions on how to get rid of medication that one does not need anymore can be found on the labels. The instructions must be followed carefully if mistakes are to be avoided. Most medications also come with patient information leaflets, which may contain disposal instructions.

Pharmaceuticals are commonly disposed through household trash. From the trash most of the drugs end up in landfills. Not every home is safe with this option. The option can be dangerous for homes that have little children and mentally unstable adults. This is because they can take the drugs from the trash and consume them without the homeowner knowing. That can be a big problem.

It is totally safe to dispose less harmful medications down the sink. The sink could be located in the kitchen or bathroom although the bathroom one is more preferable. Medications come in various forms including liquids, tablets, powders, and capsules and when flashing, everything must completely go down the sink. No residue should remain. Tablets and capsules should be broken after confirming that instructions give that option.

Another very useful method is the take-back program. These are programs where members of the public are encouraged to take all expired or unused medications back to some central location. The location can be a hospital department, law-enforcement agency, or other official place. Not all cities or towns offer this service and one should call relevant authorities to enquire if the program exists in their area.

Many cities also have many registered medicine collectors. The collectors collect expired and unused medications from people. The collectors one takes the medications to should be registered with the relevant government authorities. Clinic pharmacies, retail centers, hospitals, and law enforcement locations are examples of collectors. These collectors may also offer mail-back programs or collection receptacles.

Friends and other individuals who need prescription drugs should not be given the ones not prescribed for them. Labels must be destroyed or removed from all drugs that one decide to throw in the trash. This serves as protection for medical information of the individual and also makes the drugs undesirable to other people.




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