Safe Disposal of Prescription Medications

Expired and unused prescription medications are often left lying in medicine cabinets and cupboards.

Adults and seniors may accidentally take expired or unused prescription medications that are no longer effective. This can have dangerous interactions with other medications. 

In a recent study, 15.2% of teens said they had taken a prescription drug to get high and almost 70% of them got it from home.

Safe disposal of unused and expired drugs ensures they do not end up in the wrong hands.

Why is Safe Disposal Important?

• Having multiple prescriptions and other medications increases the risk of negative drug interactions and side effects including increasing the risk of falling
• The misuse of prescription medications by teens for non-medical use is a serious growing problem
• Medication is hazardous waste – flushing it down the toilet or throwing it in the garbage pollutes the environment.
  
  

Steps to Follow for Safe Disposal:

• Check medication regularly for expiry dates
• Place unused, old or “just in case” prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements in a bag
• Drop the bag off at your local pharmacy for free and safe disposal
• Keeping remaining medications locked up and out of the reach of children

The Temagami Medical Centre and Family Health Team…
committed to keeping you as healthy as possible!