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Press Releases:

Partnerships between businesses, government, and non-profits are often tenuous. But in Washington state, one such partnership is making huge strides to protect the community and environment, and is taking home awards as a result.

Legislators, Pharmacists, Health Advocates: Something Must Be Done to Ensure Safe Disposal of Unwanted Medicines

 

 

Articles About the Medicine Return Program:

With increased awareness of pharmaceuticals in streams, groundwater and even drinking water, now is a good time to think about a producer-responsibility approach to pharmaceuticals in Washington. 

Don't know what to do with your old, expired medications? Until now, there has been no safe and environmentally benign way to dispose of unused or expired medicine.

Recent data on drug trends in this country show that teens see abusing prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines as safer than street drugs.

How many bottles or vials of medication do you have in your home?

Patients at seven Group Health clinics in Washington state have a new way to get rid of their old medications: They just take them to the clinics and drop them into big blue bins - similar to mail boxes - as part of a pilot program that could be a model for other health care systems nationwide, says Shirley Reitz, associate director for clinical pharmacy services.

Pioneering 'drug take-back' program could help keep water safe. Group Health and the state Department of Ecology are part of a growing coalition trying to get manufacturers to take back old medicine the way some programs target TVs and other electronics.

At one time, pharmacies and physicians were OK with consumers flushing unwanted or expired medications down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage. Now, we know better.