And it’s just plain good customer service
by Anne Stokes
Safe disposal drug take-back bins are a win-win-win: patients have a convenient way to keep unwanted medications out of reach of abuse; the environment is kept cleaner when medications aren’t flushed down the drain; and pharmacies have an easy, no-cost way to comply with California’s SB 212 and provide good customer service that keeps them coming back.
“It’s good to be able to provide this type of service for our patients and we’ve found that they’re convenient for customers to use,” says Sukh Jhutty, owner of Natomas Pharmacy in Sacramento. “A lot of people use the bins to get rid of old medications they don’t need anymore while they’re here picking up refills or new medications. It’s an easy way to keep from holding on to meds at home, which can be risky.”
In the past, recommended methods of disposal were less than responsible. Throwing pills away in the trash or flushing them down the drain pollutes watersheds—the same water sources for many municipal drinking water supplies—and contributes to a pharmaceutical soup with unknown short- and long-term effects on wildlife, plant life and people. Alternatively, waiting for annual take-back events encouraged people to stockpile medications, making them an attractive target for theft or abuse, whether intentional or unintentional. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, out of the 1.34 million calls made to poison control centers for children, 49% are medicine related, a majority of which are for young children between the age of one and two years old.
“They help us do right by our patients and community.”
Sukh Jhutty, Owner, Natomas Pharmacy
In 2018, California signed SB 212 into law, holding pharmaceutical companies responsible for the safe collection and disposal of their products. Through the statewide Med-Project program, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics and law enforcement stations are eligible for free safe disposal drug take-back bins to collect unused medication for disposal in accordance with DEA requirements.
Med-Project covers the cost of signage and educational materials for staff and patients, maintenance services, replacement bins and liners, and works with sites to coordinate the pick up and disposal of unwanted household medications. The program also provides 24/7 online and toll-free support with help desk agents to answer any questions participating locations may have.
“Not only are the bins easy for our customers to use, but the support from Med-Project makes it easy for us to be a host site,” says Jhutty. “They take care of the installation, maintenance and are there anytime we have any questions or issues. They help us do right by our patients and community.”
To find a bin near you, visit medtakebackcalifornia.org.
Read more stories about bins in California’s Central Valley, High Desert, Los Angeles and Ventura counties, California’s North Central Valley, North Coast, Orange County, California’s Rural Mountains, San Diego County, and California’s South Central Valley.
