Unwanted medications include prescription or over-the-counter drugs that are outdated, not wanted, or no longer needed. People often inherit prescription or over-the-counter drugs when a relative or friend has passed away.
Why is improper disposal dangerous? Proper drug disposal is an emerging issue in the environmental arena. All medications applied or ingested may be excreted or washed into sewage systems and discharged to the environment. The risks posed to humans by long-term consumption of minute quantities of medications in drinking water, as well as the risks to the environment by continual exposure are unknown. Flushing unwanted medications down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage just adds to the problem.
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Free Clinic of Southwest Washington
HOW TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF UNWANTED MEDICATIONS.
Return unwanted medications to participating pharmacies (For
a list of pharmacies see our Participating
Pharmacy Disposal List). Most participating pharmacies will
accept unwanted medications at no charge if they:
• Are in the original container with the name of the medicine
clearly visible.
• Are in a container that is not leaking and is capable of
being sealed.
• Have all patient information removed or obscured.
• Are not controlled substances.
Return unwanted medications to your physician. Ask your physician if he/she will take unwanted medications for safe disposal.
Take unwanted medications (except controlled substances) to a
household hazardous waste collection facility listed below.
Central Transfer and Material Recovery Center
West Van Materials Recovery Center
Participating Pharmacies
Philip Services Corporation
Mobile Collection Events
Take unwanted controlled substances to:
Camas Police Department
Clark County Sheriff's Office West Precinct
Clark County Sheriff's Office Central Precinct
La Center Police Department
Remember - Always call before transporting unwanted
medications. Not all medications can be taken to every disposal
site. Some medications must be taken to special sites for proper
disposal. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your unwanted medication
is classified as a controlled substance or call the Washington
Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
