As part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 26, Meijer pharmacies are preparing for an influx of customers disposing of their unused and expired prescription medications.
A national initiative organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Drug Take Back Day aims to prevent drug misuse and reduce the risk of accidental poisonings or overdoses. It also seeks to limit the environmental harm that can result from improper disposal methods, such as flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash.
Meijer first participated in the national program in February 2019 and has since collected nearly 200 tons of unneeded medications in kiosks near each of its in-store pharmacies. To date, in 2024, Meijer customers have returned about 76,000 pounds, or 37 tons, of medications.
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“At Meijer, every day is drug take back day. Customers can access the kiosks year-round for disposal of over-the-counter and prescription medications, including controlled substances, during normal pharmacy hours,” said Jackie Morse, group VP of health and pharmacy at Meijer.
“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a reminder of a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, and we’ll continue to encourage our customers to take advantage of the program.”
Items not accepted as part of the program include needles or other sharps, inhalers, mercury thermometers, medications that contain iodine and illicit drugs.
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