Clinics Test Blue Bins for Medicine Disposal

Seven group health clinics in Washington State are testing a new way to get rid of patients’ old medications. When patients visit the clinic they bring their old medications and just drop them into a big blue bin. These mailbox-type bins are part of a pilot program that could be a model for other health care systems nationwide, according to Shirley Reitz, associate director for clinical pharmacy services.

The medications are taken from the bins to an incinerator so they never end up in the landfills or sewage systems. The only medications not accepted are narcotics such as OxyContin because of drug-control laws.

Feedback for this program has been extremely positive. Such programs are urgently needed as few facilities are equipped or legally able to handle large quantities of returned drugs.

Source: USA Today