Nationwide Prescription Drug Disposal Event Scheduled for April 26
In an effort to safeguard both community health and the environment, the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is set for Saturday, April 26. This initiative provides a safe way to dispose of unused or expired medications across the United States, including specific locations in Michigan.
Rhonda S. Oyer from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy emphasized the importance of this event, stating, “Basically, it’s an opportunity for people to take their unwanted medications, so the prescription medications that are either expired, they no longer take for some reason or they need to dispose of. Where they can go to an incinerator to be properly managed because we want to keep these things out of our water and also prevent, you know, abuse of medications and unintentional poisoning of children, pets, and wildlife.”
Participants can bring various forms of prescription drugs, such as:
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Patches
- Other solid forms of prescription drugs
However, the collection sites will not accept:
- Syringes
- Sharps
- Illicit drugs
For liquid medications like cough syrup, it’s important to keep them in their original containers with caps tightly sealed to avoid leaks. By incinerating these collected materials, the active chemicals are prevented from contaminating Michigan’s water systems and endangering local wildlife.
While chemotherapy drugs are not typically accepted at these events, individuals can explore safe disposal options by consulting their healthcare providers. Alternatively, donations of these drugs can be made through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) by contacting 517-241-0205 or emailing BPLHelp@Michigan.gov.
For those interested in year-round disposal options for medications, supplements, or needles/sharps, additional drop-off locations can be found by visiting Michigan.gov/EGLEDrugDisposal and using the Household Drug Take Back web map.
—
Read More Michigan News
