We all have them, when We were first married and merged households we found prescriptions that were 5-6 years past their expiration dates, this includes over the counter (OTC) medications (meds). Are they still at full strength? Would you still take them? Would you eat a can of food showing six years past its expiration? Do you know what to do with those medications your no longer taking? With the new regulations in effect, we are being told, “DO NOT FLUSH YOU OLD MEDICATIONS DOWN THE TOILET OR PUT THEM IN THE GARBAGE CAN.” Reason, the amount of prescription that are written just in the United State annually equals to about 1.1 new prescription per month* per person, no matter their age or 4.02 Billion a year. Now think of all the times you purchased a script but didn’t take it all or just plain didn’t take it. Where did it go? _______________________________
Just recently my mom due to her inability to drive at the time asked to to dispose of some of her no longer needed meds (See photo), and to my surprise these were from just a 2-3 years time. The issue I had was when I approached my pharmacist, they had no idea what I was suppose to do and suggested I go to either the Fire Department or the Police Department. So I did and when I asked the fireman who opened the door he in turn gave me this blank stare and went to ask his Captain. The captains suggestion was, “Check your counties web site and see if there is going to be locally or within the county a medication (Hazardous Waste Drop Off) coming up soon.” Think about this also, what if you just lost a family member or friend, don’t forget about all their unused or unfinished scripts. So what are you suppose to do with them?
“Medication only half used.”
There are medications that are approved for disposal by flushing bt the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, click here to see the list of approved medications,
* http://www.naturalness.com, Mind-Boggling report: how many drug prescriptions written in the US every year? 9/18/2012
**www.fda.gov, This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products. Updated December 24, 2013
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