Pharmacists across the province are reminding New Brunswickers they can return their unwanted medications and medical sharps at no cost, at any time.
“Expired and unwanted prescription medications are often left in medicine cabinets,” said Anne Marie Picone, Executive Director of the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association. “This can lead to people inadvertently taking expired medications, or the medication could end up in the wrong hands.”
In addition to avoiding potential misuse and abuse, returning your medication to the pharmacy will ensure safe disposal, avoiding potential harm to children, pets or the environment.
“Never dispose of medication by flushing it down a toilet or sink or by throwing it in the garbage,” Picone said. “It’s simple and easy to return this medication to your pharmacy where it can be disposed of properly.”
The Health Products Stewardship Association (HPSA), which administers the medication return program, says nearly every pharmacy in the province is participating. In the first year of the program, HPSA collected over 7,500 kg of unwanted medications and close to 12,000 kg of used medical sharps.
“This was possible because of the collaborative efforts of our collection locations,” said Alain Renard, Director, Stewardship Programs (East) at HPSA. “In the second year of the program, our focus is on consumer education, raising awareness and increasing consumer returns.”
Before returning medical waste to the pharmacy, remove pills and tablets from their packaging and place them in a clear bag. Liquids and creams should remain in their original packaging. Medical sharps must be placed in a sharps container, which can be obtained free of charge from any participating pharmacy.
Picone says pharmacists recommend reviewing your medicine cabinet throughout the year to ensure you are not storing expired or unwanted medication unnecessarily.
“We recommend reviewing your medicine cabinet regularly – once in the fall and once in the spring – to ensure unwanted medication and used medical sharps are disposed of properly.”
More information on safe disposal of medication is available here.