Okanagan residents urged to dispose of medications properly

The BC Pharmacy Association is urging residents to safely dispose of their unused medications so they don’t end up in the wrong hands.

Given the recent news about the high number of overdoses in the province, and the prediction that the problem will be even worse this year, the safe disposal of medication is especially crucial. Prescription drugs can be effective in helping people to manage pain and other conditions, but if used inappropriately, they can have deadly consequences.

Central Okanagan residents can return unused or expired medications to community pharmacies at any time of the year, at no charge. This Saturday marks National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day, a Canada-wide initiative led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

The BC Medications Return Program ensures medications aren’t thrown in the garbage, where they could be found by others or pets, or flushed down the toilet, where they can harm the marine environment.

In 2015, Central Okanagan residents returned more than 4,600 kilograms of expired or unused medications to community pharmacies for safe disposal. This is a 163 per cent increase in the number of medications returned in 2009, in the early days of the awareness campaign.

“There are 49 community pharmacies in Central Okanagan that will accept medication returns at any time,” said Geraldine Vance, CEO of the BC Pharmacy Association. “Your pharmacist is the best person to help you dispose of unwanted drugs.”

Medication should be stored out of reach of children or in a locked cabinet. According to the 2010–11 Youth Smoking Survey, 8.2 per cent of Canadian youth in grades 6–12 reported using prescription and over-the-counter drugs in a 12-month period to get high.

“We strongly encourage you to return your medications to your local pharmacy,” said Rae Stewart, waste reduction facilitator with the Regional District of Central Okanagan. “By taking care of them properly, it prevents you or someone in your home from inadvertently using expired medications. Keeping these items out of the hands of our kids or people who might use them inappropriately is just as important as keeping them out of our local landfill, sewer systems, and water supplies.”

The Medication Return Program covers all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, including topical antibiotic and antifungal creams, and natural health products such as vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and homoeopathic medicines.

Any liquid or cream medications should be kept in their original container with any personal information removed or blacked out, and solid medications like pills should be combined into a small bag.