Media Release - May 17, 2016
Drop-off your drugs safely and help combat the epidemic of opioid abuse
May 17, 2016 – Nanaimo residents are encouraged to safely dispose of their medications to ensure they don’t get into the wrong hands or pollute the environment.Given the recent news that BC will likely have a record number of drug overdoses this year, the safe disposal of medication is especially critical. Prescription drugs can be effective in helping people to manage pain and other conditions, but if used inappropriately they can have deadly consequences.
Nanaimo residents can return unused or expired medications to community pharmacies at any time of the year at no charge. This Saturday, May 21 also 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 young people or pets, or flushed down the toilet, where they can harm the marine environment.
In 2015, Nanaimo residents returned more than 4,500 kilograms of expired or unused medications to community pharmacies for safe disposal. This is a 127 per cent increase in the number of medications returned in 2009, in the early days of the awareness campaign.
"There are 43 community pharmacies in the Nanaimo area that will accept medication returns at any time," says Geraldine Vance, CEO of the BC Pharmacy Association. "Your pharmacist is the best person to help you dispose of unwanted drugs."
To encourage the public to heed this message, the BCPhA and Health Products Stewardship Association have produced a new video on the theme of Fish Can’t Say No to Drugs, which can be viewed by Clicking Here.
Medication should be stored out of reach of children or in a locked cabinet. According to the 2010–11 Youth Smoking Survey, 8.2% of Canadian youth in grades 6–12 reported using prescription and over-the-counter drugs in a 12-month period to get high.
"Improper disposal of medications can have devastating impacts on our local marine environment," says Bill Veenhof, chair of the Regional District of Nanaimo. "RDN residents can help protect the environment by dropping off unused and expired medications at any of the 43 locations across the region."
The Medications Return Program covers all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, including topical antibiotic and antifungal creams, and natural health products that are orally ingested such as vitamins, minerals, traditional Chinese medicines, herbal products, probiotics, and homeopathic medicines. More than 95 per cent of community pharmacies in BC participate in the program, which is free for all British Columbians.
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. For more information, visit www.healthsteward.ca.
The BCPhA is a not-for-profit, voluntary association, representing more 3,000 pharmacists and more than 850 pharmacies throughout British Columbia.
Media contacts:
Matilda Meyers
Communications Manager, BC Pharmacy Association
[email protected]
604-269-2866