Safely Dispose of Unwanted, Expired Medications on Drug Take-Back Day

Members of the campus community are invited to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs during a Drug Take-Back Day, planned for this Friday, April 29.

The event, which educates the public about the dangers associated with the unsafe disposal of prescription drugs, provides a convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medications, according to Dr. Vincent Giannetti, professor of pharmacy administration.

“When medications are inappropriately disposed of they can pose a hazard to the environment,” explained Giannetti. “Unused or expired controlled substances can inadvertently be used by young children if not secured properly or used by adolescents out of curiosity and experimentation. This can pose the risk of overdose or a pathway to drug abuse.”

Drug Take-Back Day will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the rotunda of the Bayer Learning Center. Participants should leave medicines in their original containers and mark out personal information.

The following will be accepted for proper disposal with no questions asked:

  • Unused, expired or recalled prescriptions or over-the-counter medications
  • Labeled or unlabeled medications
  • Ointments, creams, lotions or powders
  • Inhalers and nebulizer solutions.

The following will not be accepted:

  • Needles, EpiPen injectors, syringes, lancets or any other sharps
  • Thermometers, glass or durable medical equipment
  • Marijuana or methamphetamine.

Drug Take-Back Day is sponsored by the Mylan School of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Educate and Rehabilitate Together); the Wellness in Motion initiative; and the Department of Public Safety.

For more information, contact Giannetti at 412.396.6379.