Comments on: The State of Medicine Recycling

By: John Ursoleo

John Ursoleo — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:23:21 +0000

Recycling medications will always be a dangerous activity unless the medications are maintained in a controlled environment .. as is outlined in this proposal:

http://www.versalent.biz/reclaim.htm

By: LIGHT BULBS

LIGHT BULBS — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:53:46 +0000

This sounds like a good idea but how do we know the medicine is still effective and not too old or if it is the right dose.

By: neal

neal — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:12:12 +0000

how dis gonna end

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:37:04 +0000

I am in the Boston area and my family still has unused medical supplies from when my father was home recovering from his bone marrow transplant. Just like Kate and many others here, I, too, am in need to find something on donating unused medical tubing, gloves, supplies. What about expired and unused IV fluid solutions? Please help!

If you have answers, PLEASE EMAIL ME. Thank you.

By: jgroff

jgroff — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:54:19 +0000

Anyone know where I can get rid of expired prescriptions and OTC meds in the South Bay/ Los Angeles area of CA? I’ve spend some time on the internet and still can’t can’t find an answer. Thanks

By: Matthew Mireles

Matthew Mireles — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:07:00 +0000

We are researchers in patient safety and a leader in the study of unused and expired meds (UEM). Our research group has set up the National Unused and Expired Medicines Registry to collect info about UEM, the cost and environ impact. Additionally, we now publish the official and most updeated list of drug take-back programs in our National Directory of Drug Take-Back and Disposal Programs.
Jennifer’s article about recycling unwanted meds is very accurate but may encourage individuals to get rid of their meds by donation. Please be extremely careful. We stand firmly against individual dontation of drugs for safety reasons. Readers may benefit from becoming more aware of the guidelines for proper donation at the United Nations World Health Organization.

The best recommendation and strategy to reduce excess and unwanted meds is to be honest and assertive with the prescribing docs. Ask for less quantity and only enough for your condition. Take meds are strictly prescribed especially antiobiotics. We go as far as telling individuals to drop their meds at the doc’s office and let him or her deal with it. Of course, there are more proper ways to handle UEM at official drug take-back sites. Please conact us for the list of locations and ideas to prevent stockpiling of UEM at home and improper disposal of UEM. We’ll be happy to help. http://www.communityofcompetence.com; 832-778-7777

By: Mac

Mac — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:04:04 +0000

I am located in the Atlanta metro area and have the same interest as Kate. I would like to inspire our local municipal entity to include this sort of service at our recycle center. Please send info.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:34:54 +0000

Our town is interested in a pharmaceutical take back/disposal program……not just pharmaceuticals that can be reused, but those that are expired, controlled, etc. and must be disposed of. Our goal is to keep these drugs out of the water supply so we are looking at alternatives to flushing or landfill dumping. Does anyone have a program like that? Can anyone help with information about what is required/involved?

By: Keerstin

Keerstin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:32:05 +0000

I am guardian over my uncle who takes a variety of pills and diabetic supplies. The state of Maine does not have any recycling program and I am wondering if there is somewhere that I could ship his old meds. so someone else could use them.

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:49:29 +0000

I live in Central Texas and am interested in recycling my medications. Can anyone tell me where I can do this? This site doesn’t pull up anything.

thanks, MT