Stocking Up on Medications: Out With the Old, in With the New

Fall is quickly approaching and many may be visiting local pharmacies to equip themselves with common cold treatments. But what about medications that are left over from last year? Are they still effective? If you are ready to toss these items, how do you dispose of them safely and without damaging the environment?

The Texas Panhandle Poison Center of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s (TTUHSC) School of Pharmacy will host a Lubbock Medication Cleanout™ from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Texas Tech Physicians Medical Pavilion, 3601 Fourth St.

Jeanie Jaramillo, Pharm.D., director of the Texas Panhandle Poison Center, encourages Lubbock area residents to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring in any unused, expired or unnecessary medications for proper disposal.

“Flushing or throwing old medications into the trash may contaminate the environment, pollute our drinking and ground water and harm aquatic creatures,” Jaramillo said. “Also, the abuse of prescription medications is now the fastest growing drug problem in the U.S. Medication Cleanout™ is a proactive approach to safeguard our communities by providing a free and convenient way for people to dispose of these medications in a legal, environmentally sound and convenient manner.”

The event will be conducted using a drive-thru drop off format and signs will be posted. Medications must be in their original containers. To date, 20 Medication Cleanouts™ have been conducted and 7,000 pounds of unneeded medicine have been collected. These medicines are no longer a threat for poisoning, abuse, misuse or environmental contamination. Because of environmental restrictions, only medications from households can be accepted; loads of medications from clinics, pharmacies and other businesses are not allowed.

The Medication Cleanout™ is an initiative of the Texas Panhandle Poison Center, which is managed by the TTUHSC School of Pharmacy and is sponsored by Voices Coalition with support from the TTUHSC School of Medicine and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office. For more information about the Medication Cleanout™, call (806) 351-5626 or visit www.MedicationCleanout.com.

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