Pharmacy Technician Conference
By: Megan Hanes
What will take place?
This event will be a social gathering for all pharmacy technicians. There will be pharmacists there to talk about the proper ways to dispose of medications and what could happen if they are not disposed of properly. The pharmacists will talk for about an hour. There will be a small party after where refreshments will be served.
Event Information
Pharmacy Technician Conference
When?
Saturday, Feb 20, 2016, 06:00 PM
Where?
Reidsville Event Center, South Scales Street, Reidsville, NC, United States
Proper ways to dispose of medications
- Follow any specific disposal instructions on the prescription drug labeling that accompanies the medicine. Do not flush medicines down the sink or toilet unless this information specifically instructs you to do so.
- There may be a take back center in your community where you may dispose of the medications there.
- If you must throw it away in your home then you should follow these steps:
- Remove them from their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance such as dirt or kitty litter (this makes the drug less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through the trash seeking drugs).
- Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can or other container to prevent the drug from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.
- If you still have a few doubts as to how to properly dispose of the medication ask your pharmacist.
What can happen if medications are not properly disposed of?
Medicines are a special type of hazardous chemical that we need to keep out of our solid waste system and landfills to prevent harm to people and the environment. Drugs can be very toxic for people and wildlife, even in low doses.
Medicines thrown in the garbage can also be harmful. Unwanted drugs are still chemically active when they are thrown in the trash, even if mixed with kitty litter or coffee grounds. Several studies have shown that medicines in a landfill can be released to the local environment through the landfill liquid that may be collected and sent to wastewater treatment plants.
Medicines that are flushed or poured down the drain can end up polluting our waters, impacting aquatic species, and contaminating our food and water supplies. Most medicines are not removed by wastewater treatment plants or septic systems. Scientists have found medicines in surface, ground and marine waters as well as soils and sediments.