In order to ensure our patients have a safe, reliable way to properly dispose of their medications, Indiana University Health Frankfort Hospital has added a convenient prescription drop box. The drop box is located inside the main entrance of the hospital by the elevator.
“We wanted to provide a safe, simple, secure and environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted or expired medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and unused pharmaceuticals,” stated Tricia Lohr, PharmD, pharmacy manager at IU Health Frankfort Hospital. “These same drugs unfortunately have become the target of theft and misuse. We want to encourage adults to recognize the need to remove these substances from the home and properly dispose of them.”
Prescription drugs have become the number one substance abused by teenagers. Much of the supply is unwittingly coming from the medicine cabinets of their parents, grandparents and friends.
Unwanted, unused or expired medications are deposited into the drug disposal box, much like a letter is dropped into a mailbox. All medications should be in one plastic container with personal information removed or crossed out. The prescription drug drop box may be accessed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
Proper disposal of expired or unused medications helps to prevent:
- Accidental poisoning
- Overdose or death
- Illegal use or theft
- Contamination of water sources.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or drain unless the label or patient information specifically says to do so, Certain medications are recommended to be flushed by the FDA including: Demerol, dilaudid, methadone, morphine and oxycodone. Visit fda.gov for a complete list.
The prescription drug box was funded in part by a grant from the Clinton County Community Foundation.