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Gene Galin
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« on: November 12, 2008, 10:14:12 PM » |
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From: Linda Cooper
Subject: Recycle Your Prescription Drugs
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:55:25 PM
2008 has been a horrible year for the Cooper family, but we learned some very
valuable lessons. I want to share one of those lessons with the chat listers.
As some of you know, both of my inlaws (Ken & Wynell Cooper) passed away in
August and September of this year. Both were on a variety of very expensive and
"high power" prescription drugs at the end. Some of those prescriptions had
just been filled just before the deaths and we wondered what to do with them.
Coloscopy bag supplies, narcotics, diabetic supplies, blood thinners, the list
went on and on. We certainly didn't want to just flush them or throw them in
the trash and the local drug store could not take them back.
After several phone calls to several agencies, I found out that the Chatham
County Council on Aging will take these unused drugs and supplies. They recycle
them by giving them to a drug store in Siler City that operates a free
prescription drug program for folks who can't afford their medicines. The
pharmacist checks each drug and/or supply to make sure it is ok (not tampered
with) and then repackages it for someone else who needs it.
Don't flush those unused drugs!! Don't throw them in the trash!! There is a
wide variety of reasons why you shouldn't do that - the environment, etc.
Instead, let them be useful to someone else, someone less fortunate, someone who
needs them! Contact the Chatham County Council on Aging (542-4512) and ask for
Phyllis.
Please pass the word. Out of our sorrow came some good!!
Linda Allred Cooper
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Beckysews
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« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2008, 09:55:36 AM » |
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That's amazing. I thought that was illegal!
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randy
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« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2008, 10:06:09 AM » |
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That's amazing. I thought that was illegal!
I thought it was to, but more power to them if they do that, some of those Rx are $$$ to flush down the toilet. |
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girlfrompbo
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« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2008, 10:51:18 AM » |
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That's amazing. I thought that was illegal!
I thought it was to, but more power to them if they do that, some of those Rx are $$$ to flush down the toilet. Not to mention the scary pollution in the water supply. |
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Beckysews
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« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2008, 11:35:10 AM » |
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Well if the drugs are flushed, I guess the fishies won't have high blood pressure, high cholesteral or any ED problems.  |
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girlfrompbo
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« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2008, 11:38:31 AM » |
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Ha! If only we could just treat everyone en masse that way, yeah?
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Silk_Hope
Chathamohican
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Last Login: Today at 06:26:36 PM
Date Registerd:April 02, 2007, 08:29:04 PM
Posts: 8300
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« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2008, 11:58:10 AM » |
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Lets look at the liability of this; What if the medicine was tampered with? filled wrong or misbottled? Who would be liable if someone dies? What about dosage levels?
There are too many questions and risks involved with recycling medicine.
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integrityticket
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Date Registerd:March 18, 2006, 12:53:58 PM
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« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2008, 12:06:07 PM » |
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There are too many questions and risks involved with recycling medicine.
There is too much good from recycling medicines. I've been hearing for years about razor blades in Halloween candy, etc. When was the last time you ran into a razor blade in Halloween candy? The pharmacist checks each drug and/or supply to make sure it is ok (not tampered with) and then repackages it for someone else who needs it. Are you saying these folks don't know what they are doing? |
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The bottom line is the iPhone and modern medicine came from democracy and the free market, not a government agency.
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Silk_Hope
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Date Registerd:April 02, 2007, 08:29:04 PM
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« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2008, 12:08:11 PM » |
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I am saying how do you know what is truly in the bottles?
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Gene Galin
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« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2008, 12:23:16 PM » |
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Isn't the pharmacist able to determine that?
Have we got any pharmacists out there who can tackle this issue?
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CouncilOnAging
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Last Login:March 01, 2009, 08:36:54 PM
Date Registerd:July 17, 2008, 10:21:21 PM
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« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2008, 01:01:15 PM » |
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Linda,
Thank you for making folks aware of the potential good that can come from donating unused items and for raising awareness against flushing and dumping unused medicines.
Donated items will be sent to the professional, licensed, insured pharmacist at Chatham Cares Community Pharmacy in Siler City, a member of the Association of Free Clinics of North Carolina, an honest-to-goodness pharmacy dedicated to reducing the disparities in healthcare for uninsured and underinsured residents of Chatham County.
The pharmacy does not dispense or hold narcotics, so those would be appropriately destroyed but everything else that is appropriate will be dispensed according to the laws of North Carolina.
And by the way, as a non profit, the Chatham Cares Community Pharmacy depends on donations and they are having an awesome Christmas Tour of Homes on December 7th from 1:30 to 5:00. For $20 a person, you get to tour six beautifully decorated homes in Bonlee, Bear Creek / Asbury, Goldston and Siler City.
Tickets are available through the Council on Aging.
Angel
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natvrabit
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Date Registerd:March 08, 2008, 02:45:06 PM
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« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2008, 03:21:07 PM » |
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Thanks for that info Angel. I was aware the "pharmacy" existed just from a blurb I had read in a news article. It caught my interest due to a family friend that had cancer and was struggling with medication costs. I wondered if any meds she was prescribed existed there. She unfortunately died before the facility got up and running.
It's a magnificent idea! We are so lucky to have such a great COA in Chatham. And YES, don't flush your pills. I don't want to drink them someday in my water! Put them to a better use and check into this community service option.
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NHSParent
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« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2008, 04:36:27 PM » |
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A scary thought since most drugs look alike.
Has been done in France for years. I would like to see the drugs taken back to the pharmacists that filled it and donate there and then donate.
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natvrabit
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« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2008, 04:44:16 PM » |
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Not sure I see your point NHS, since a licensed pharmacist oversees this and scrutinizes the donations and the safety of them. What would be the difference?
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CouncilOnAging
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« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2008, 08:00:34 PM » |
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If you consider the issue broadly, not all prescriptions are "pills in a bottle." Many prescription drugs are distributed in blister packs and many prescriptions are for non-pills, if you will, such as sharps, supplies, etc.
Also, pills and capsules are usually stamped or otherwise identifiable. You can find most (maybe all?) pills in reference sources. For example, choose a couple of pills from your medicine cabinet and then google the color, shape and numbers stamped on them. I'm not a pharmacist but I think research is interesting, so give it a try and see what you discover.
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