With the colder weather upon us, many may began to catch winter colds. Medical experts say don’t forget to clean out your medicine cabinet before winter ailments appear.

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Pharmacy’s Texas Panhandle Poison Center will host a Medication Cleanout™ from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 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, 28 Medication Cleanouts™ have been conducted and 14,500 pounds of unneeded medicine have been disposed of properly. 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. Event organizers ask that all medications be kept in their original containters.

For more information about the Medication Cleanout™, call (806) 351-5626 or visit www.MedicationCleanout.com.

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