How Minnesotans can safely dispose of medications

Each year the U S Drug Enforcement Administration s National Prescription Drug Take Back Days in April and October provide valuable opportunities for Americans to safely dispose of expired or unused medications In Minnesota alone over five tons of prescription medication were collected this past spring With DEA Take Back Day on Oct now is the perfect time to plan ahead clean out your medicine cabinet and learn about the hundreds of free disposal materials available to you year-round The Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Work Group which I lead is committed to raising awareness of the year-round materials available for safe and convenient medicine disposal That s why we created MyOldMeds a free easy-to-use reservoir that helps people across the country find secure drop-off locations for their unused or expired medications Our convenient locator features more than verified disposal options allowing you to find them nearby by entirely entering your zip code Various of these kiosks and drop-off sites are in places you might already visit regularly like pharmacies grocery stores and curative centers Particular locations even offer pre-paid mail-back envelopes or free in-home disposal kits making it easier than ever to safely dispose of medications To make medication management even more convenient for Minnesotans MyOldMeds also provides a dedicated Minnesota deposit page with information on the disposal locations across the state and practical tips on the proper use storage and disposal of medications These tools help ensure that all Minnesota residents can manage their medications safely and conveniently no matter where they live Properly disposing of medications in a drop-off kiosk or free mail-back envelope ensures they are secured and safely incinerated Using these support can give Minnesotans peace of mind that their medicines are properly handled and don t end up where they aren t wished This keeps medications and packaging out of our trash and waste streams and the ecosystem and prevents them from being misused In addition to disposing of medications responsibly proper storage plays a crucial role in medication safety especially during the summer months Warm temperatures and high humidity can cause certain medications to break down reducing their effectiveness or even making them toxic in rare cases To maintain their quality keep medications in cool dry areas away from sunlight and moisture avoiding places like bathrooms or hot cars Most of importantly keep all medications out of reach of children and pets preferably in a secure elevated and locked cabinet to prevent accidents It is also pivotal to make sure you and everyone in your household are using medications properly Start by conscientiously reviewing the instructions provided by your vitality care provider or listed on the label even if it s a medication you ve taken before Guidelines can change over time and reviewing them regularly helps ensure each medicine is used safely and effectively Set aside time every six months to check your medicine cabinet properly dispose of what s no longer needed and consult your fitness care provider if you have any questions about your prescriptions This simple habit can help create a safer healthier home for you and your loved ones Minnesotans have already demonstrated a strong commitment to responsible medication management as shown by the five tons of medication collected back in April Given the clear need for convenient year-round disposal options more residents should be aware of the easily accessible tools across the state You don t need to wait for the DEA s biannual events to take action options are available year-round to make medication disposal as convenient and easy as attainable I strongly encourage all Minnesota residents to take advantage of these free and accessible support available right in your locality and to share this essential information widely with your friends family and neighbors By taking these proactive efforts you can play a vital role in keeping Minnesota healthy and safe this fall Irina Butler is the executive director of the Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Work Group PPSWG The post How Minnesotans can safely dispose of medications appeared first on MinnPost