In the past, it was acceptable to flush away old and expired medications. This is no longer recommended as it contaminates our water supply.
Most people living in Ontario are now familiar with the idea of returning medications to any community pharmacy to ensure safe disposal of medications. What most readers will not be aware of is why and how this program exists.
The safe disposal of medications and sharps for the public is organized by the Health Products Stewardship Association (HPSA), a non-profit association. This organization represents companies that introduce medications and medical products with sharps into the marketplace (like pharmaceutical companies and natural health producers). These companies cover the costs of disposing consumer returned medications.
Any community pharmacy in Ontario can sign-up to collect pharmaceuticals and sharps as a service to the public. The HSPA provides the pharmacy with sharps containers for the public (just ask us for one!) and helps organize a relationship between the pharmacy and the disposal company.
Reducing the amount of medications in your house can help prevent children, elders with dementia or even pets from accidental exposure. There have been cases of abuse and death of teenagers who have taken medications from their parents’ or grandparents’ medicine cabinets.
Cleaning out our medicine cabinets is a chore, but it is time well invested to keep people safe. Review the steps below to prepare your medications for safe disposal while protecting your privacy.
Why not add it to your to-do list today!
Have your old medications overstayed their welcome?
- Safely store medications in your home.
- Check for unused and expired medications.
- Empty all pills into a bag or container, but keep liquids, creams and inhalers in their original packaging. Remove any personal identification. Recycle all other packaging.
- Take it back to a participating pharmacy. You can bring it to us at the Bowmanville Clinic Pharmacy, 222 King Street East 905-623-7611
