What should be done with leftover or expired medications?

What should be done with leftover or expired medications?

• A. Dispose of them in the regular garbage
• B. Return them to the pharmacy or follow proper disposal protocols
• C. Keep them for future use
• D. Give them to friends or family

Answer: (B)

Returning leftover or expired medications to the pharmacy or following proper disposal protocols is the best practice for several important reasons. First and foremost, this approach ensures that medications are handled safely and do not pose a risk to others. Medications that are improperly discarded can be harmful if ingested by children, pets, or even adults who might accidentally come across them. Pharmacies often have programs in place for the safe disposal of medications, which may include take-back events or designated disposal sites. These programs are designed to minimize environmental contamination, as flushing medications or throwing them in the trash can lead to drugs entering the water supply or harming wildlife. Following these proper disposal methods also helps to prevent drug misuse. Keeping medications at home, especially those that may have street value or can lead to abuse, increases the risk of them being accessed by someone other than the intended patient. Thus, returning medications to the pharmacy or utilizing designated disposal programs is a responsible action that protects both public health and safety.

Returning leftover or expired medications to the pharmacy or following proper disposal protocols is the best practice for several important reasons. First and foremost, this approach ensures that medications are handled safely and do not pose a risk to others. Medications that are improperly discarded can be harmful if ingested by children, pets, or even adults who might accidentally come across them.

Pharmacies often have programs in place for the safe disposal of medications, which may include take-back events or designated disposal sites. These programs are designed to minimize environmental contamination, as flushing medications or throwing them in the trash can lead to drugs entering the water supply or harming wildlife.

Following these proper disposal methods also helps to prevent drug misuse. Keeping medications at home, especially those that may have street value or can lead to abuse, increases the risk of them being accessed by someone other than the intended patient. Thus, returning medications to the pharmacy or utilizing designated disposal programs is a responsible action that protects both public health and safety.