How/Where do you get rid of unneeded prescription drugs

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  • #591642

    charlabob
    Participant

    That about says it all.

    Some are outdated — some are just not needed. My pharmacy says, “We can’t do it — ask your doctor.” My doctor says, “We can’t do it — ask your pharmacy.” You wonder why fish are OD’ing on antibiotics? Seriously, what DO you do with them? tia lol hehehe

    #672700

    Que
    Member

    There is a local compounding pharmacy next to WS Nursery. They might have a good suggestion, or be able to help you. I am just thinking that since they are local, they might be more helpful than one of the chains of drugstores.

    #672701

    KBear
    Participant

    This web site might help you:

    http://www.medicinereturn.com/

    #672702

    JoB
    Participant

    anyone else bothered by the fact that this program only speaks to disposal ?

    #672703

    KBear
    Participant

    What else do you think should be done with unused or expired medicines?

    #672704

    GenHillOne
    Participant

    Bartells has a Take it Back Network, but closest store seems to be Burien:

    http://www.bartelldrugs.com/health/index.html

    #672705

    GenHillOne
    Participant

    A-ha, looks like Pharmaca in the Junction might take them:

    http://www.takebacknetwork.com/washington_2.html

    That page also has links on the right (index) that list all of the Bartell & Group Health locations.

    #672706

    JoB
    Participant

    Kbear..

    i have always lived near programs that recycled current prescriptions to those in need… so i donated them.

    i am medication sensitive.. because of that i try a lot of different medications that end up sitting in my medicine chest unused… so i have appreciated programs that put those drugs to use.

    #672707

    KBear
    Participant

    I would have thought there’d be sanitation concerns with re-using medicines.

    #672708

    charlabob
    Participant

    Thank you — I knew if I came back in two hours I’d have multiple choices.

    I guess it never would have dawned on me that someone would recycle drugs. It just seems very dangerous (given that people even sabotage tylenol.) JoB, if you hear of such a place, let me know — otherwise, these puppies are off to the drug dump.

    #672709

    JoB
    Participant

    Charlabob…

    I am sorry..

    i haven’t found even an informal program here…

    if i do i will let you know.

    K-bear…

    I can’t think of any program that re-uses medications… once they are used.. they’re used:(

    however.. a lot of unused medications go to waste at the same time that US citizens die for lack of medication…

    not to mention programs that use those meds outside our borders.. those programs don’t even care if they are past date…

    #672710

    anatidaephobia
    Participant

    crush and throw in the trash.

    #672711

    JoB
    Participant

    when you crush and throw in the trash they end up in a landfill… which leaches into the water.

    whereas when you turn them in to one of the recycling programs they end up ????

    #672712

    ellenater
    Member

    What do you got?

    I could use some xanax and something for high blood pressure.;)

    #672713

    charlabob
    Participant

    sorry ellen–these aren’t nearly that interesting. :-) Thanks, JoB — the reason I asked was the horrific studies about the amount of script meds in the water and ground water and ? Seemed like a good thing not to do.

    #672714

    Lena
    Participant

    Hi Charlabob,

    When I worked at the Humane Society in Bellevue (I think now called the Seattle Humane Society) http://www.seattlehumane.org/ we took used drugs both human and animal and used them on the shelter animals. Because the animals were shelter owned and because there is not the same regulation we could reuse them and routinely did. It saved many animals from euthanasia because of these reusable drugs. We would get so excited to get some of the very expensive antibiotics, etc that we did not have the money to buy:-)

    I know we also donated some of the stuff we couldn’t use to a human program oversees but I don’t remember the name. Many of the drugs also went to the Pet Project which treated dogs owned by people with AIDS, also through the Humane Society.

    If you have any antibiotics I can often find rescue folks who can reuse them. You can email me at lena@lenamccullough.com

    Best wishes

    #672715

    MNGirl
    Member

    Group Health will take the medications and dispose of them properly. Check with their main campus office and they can tell you or check they website. They are in the forefront of this with their program.

    #672716

    37Ray
    Participant

    WHATEVER you do, do NOT leave them on the hood of someone’s car at the intersection of Andover & Fauntleroy! ;) (I keed, I keed…)

    #672717

    bluebird
    Member

    That was funny Ray!

    #672718

    anatidaephobia
    Participant

    humane shelter — what a great idea, if they take them.

    From the institute of safe medication practices:

    http://www.ismp.org/consumers/throwAwayMedsSafely.asp

    #672719

    hammerhead
    Participant

    do whatever you can to donate them. it is possible. it is a little bit more underground from what i have found out though. because of sue happy people. there is such a need out there. as long as it done responsibly i see no reason medications can’t be used to help people/animals in need.

    as lenamegan just mentioned, I benefited from a donation for my sick cat a huge help.

    #672720

    charlabob
    Participant

    Hammerhead, can you and your kitties use my stash? Noam Katsky and I would be glad to give them to you. Otherwise, we’re going to the Humane Shelter.

    #672721

    JoB
    Participant

    i had forgotten about animal rescues..

    they need more than antibiotics.

    if we take it.. chances are some dog does too.

    #672722

    hammerhead
    Participant

    i will email you personally

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