movin slo
05-30-2005, 01:27 AM
I'm just wondering what everyone does with the meds that you have left over
when Dr. changes meds. I know how expensive these meds are. I can not find anywhere to take them where someone, somewhere Can use them.
They are in the scrip bottles, with all info on them. With all the needly people out there that needs meds and can't afford them. You would think there would be some way to re-despence them. Wouldn't you?
Our water company has asked people to not flush unused meds. so they do not end up in our water supply. I have asked different Pharmarcies and they say "Oh just throw them away". Now , I'm sorry but most of the pain meds and depression DO NOT belong in the city dump! Kids, dogs, cats, birds and heaven knows whatelse digs in the dump for clothes and whatever. Does it make since to add drugs to it??? I know that you are not to share drugs with others but for crying out loud, I'm sorry, but this really upsets me. :rolleyes:
There has to be someway to make better use of these useable drugs. ANY ideas???
movin slo
with too much Irish tight wad in me. :eek:
when Dr. changes meds. I know how expensive these meds are. I can not find anywhere to take them where someone, somewhere Can use them.
They are in the scrip bottles, with all info on them. With all the needly people out there that needs meds and can't afford them. You would think there would be some way to re-despence them. Wouldn't you?
Our water company has asked people to not flush unused meds. so they do not end up in our water supply. I have asked different Pharmarcies and they say "Oh just throw them away". Now , I'm sorry but most of the pain meds and depression DO NOT belong in the city dump! Kids, dogs, cats, birds and heaven knows whatelse digs in the dump for clothes and whatever. Does it make since to add drugs to it??? I know that you are not to share drugs with others but for crying out loud, I'm sorry, but this really upsets me. :rolleyes:
There has to be someway to make better use of these useable drugs. ANY ideas???
movin slo
with too much Irish tight wad in me. :eek:
Sponsor
jdlfmc
05-30-2005, 11:21 AM
moving-slo, I have heard that some of the larger chain phamacies are taking these meds back to be disposed of properly, like you I would like to see these meds used for a good cause, but know that it is not possible as to many have made it impossible.
When my Father passed I remeber hospice comming in and flushing all his meds and I mean a ton and very strong narcotics, now we know that this is not wise. I'd try calling or checking on line with some of the large chains and see what they offer, even try e-mailing them and see what they suggest.
Let us know if you find out something.
Linda
When my Father passed I remeber hospice comming in and flushing all his meds and I mean a ton and very strong narcotics, now we know that this is not wise. I'd try calling or checking on line with some of the large chains and see what they offer, even try e-mailing them and see what they suggest.
Let us know if you find out something.
Linda
countrygal
05-30-2005, 12:04 PM
I know a few years back you could take them to the Dr. office and they would give them to needy patients. If they were in the correct bottles. And you could take expired meds to a pharmacy or hospital pharmacy and they could destroy them. But in todays world i dont know if either of these things are possible. It does seem sad that they can not go to someone that needs them but cant afford them.
GodsGirl4ever06
05-30-2005, 01:34 PM
A little off the subject, but..the nursing home that my boyfriend works at (he's a cook) might get shut down, because two absolutely HORRIBLE nurses weren't giving the patients their drugs and were selling them... isn't that repulsive?
^^^ sorry about that..just venting.. it sorta affects me personally in more ways than one.
But, I wouldn't know what to do with that medicine. I do wish people who can't afford them could have them, but... yeah. I know people who can't afford medicine and it is so sad because they just suffer..
^^^ sorry about that..just venting.. it sorta affects me personally in more ways than one.
But, I wouldn't know what to do with that medicine. I do wish people who can't afford them could have them, but... yeah. I know people who can't afford medicine and it is so sad because they just suffer..
bluelakelady
05-31-2005, 01:58 AM
take the bottles to your pharmacy and just hand them a bag of bottles. tell them you have no safe way of disposing of them and walk out the door. don't wait for an answer. say thank you and leave. they have a safe way of disposing of them.
let me know if it works. i am glad my doc gives me samples first to see if my body will tolerate the meds. then we do the script.
i got rid of all my best friends meds after she died. i did what she would have wanted me to do. i took the ones i knew other people were on and gave them to them. i put the rest down the garbage disposal and they went into our septic system.
it's hard to know what to do. especially after spending a small fortune for a "magic pill" that does not work in your body.
let me know what you figure out. i will be interested.
peace,
bluelakelady
let me know if it works. i am glad my doc gives me samples first to see if my body will tolerate the meds. then we do the script.
i got rid of all my best friends meds after she died. i did what she would have wanted me to do. i took the ones i knew other people were on and gave them to them. i put the rest down the garbage disposal and they went into our septic system.
it's hard to know what to do. especially after spending a small fortune for a "magic pill" that does not work in your body.
let me know what you figure out. i will be interested.
peace,
bluelakelady
Glojer
05-31-2005, 12:57 PM
Good question! we have thrown so much either in the dumpster (figured some rats were getting high) or flushed them down the drain. The drain thing was in the literature with the meds as the best way to dispose of them. It would be nice if they could help someone though.
glojer
glojer
jdlfmc
05-31-2005, 02:15 PM
I have E-mailed 3 of the top chains and one has responded thus far saying to just bring them in to the pharmacy and they will dispose of them properly.I'm pretty sure that it willbe the policy of the other 2 also.
Linda
Linda
LibertyGirl
05-31-2005, 06:32 PM
Yeah... Its a nice thought but this could be illegal. You cant have someone use these meds. Not that you have poisoned them, but federal laws are federal laws and they are good for a reason. I am sure everyone appreciates the thoughts but the only way we can help the poor or the needy ones is by providing charity in the form of clothes, money etc. Medicine can never be on that list and am sure we all understand why. I hope you find some way of getting rid of them. If the pharmacy guys say throw it, just go to CVS and dump it there. Just take your name and sticker off it. Am sure they do this often enough... Let them deal with it. Does my answer make sense and help you.
Good luck.
LibertyGirl
Good luck.
LibertyGirl
Tyneyboy
06-01-2005, 10:40 AM
Other than CII's and CIII's going in the incinerator (best case) along with anything with a sharp ... Most of your meds are going to be flushed down the drain if you take them to the pharmacy. A minority of them have some other disposal method in place. At the pharmacy I worked at we went ahead and incinerated everything, period, end of discussion. Many of the chain stores don't bother with non-controlled drugs. Just a flush and its gone. It is still probably the best way to dispose of them though.
Anyway, the reason you don't see "sharing" systems setup is because it is illegal. The regulation varies a slight bit state to state, but in most places its basically this: If the chain of custody has every gotten below the dispensing nurse, it gets thrown out and can't be reused. So you could have the pharmacy fill it, the and RN or LPN dispense it & store it, but if you as the patient had them under your control - you couldn't reuse them. Chain of custody was not maintained. This is a fine regulation in a hospital environment where this chain of custody is always maintained.
If they didn't have the chain of custody rule, you could end up like the tylenol+cyanide cases back in the 80's, or expired meds, or substituted meds, diverted meds...etc
Yes, I agree it is wasteful. Nothing worse than looking at a bottle written for 200 pills which I only used 2 of them, had a bad reaction, but can't legally give to someone I know is on the same thing and save them $300. Unfortunately, transferring those meds is illegal, and if they ever would have a problem you could be on the hook for it.
Anyway, the reason you don't see "sharing" systems setup is because it is illegal. The regulation varies a slight bit state to state, but in most places its basically this: If the chain of custody has every gotten below the dispensing nurse, it gets thrown out and can't be reused. So you could have the pharmacy fill it, the and RN or LPN dispense it & store it, but if you as the patient had them under your control - you couldn't reuse them. Chain of custody was not maintained. This is a fine regulation in a hospital environment where this chain of custody is always maintained.
If they didn't have the chain of custody rule, you could end up like the tylenol+cyanide cases back in the 80's, or expired meds, or substituted meds, diverted meds...etc
Yes, I agree it is wasteful. Nothing worse than looking at a bottle written for 200 pills which I only used 2 of them, had a bad reaction, but can't legally give to someone I know is on the same thing and save them $300. Unfortunately, transferring those meds is illegal, and if they ever would have a problem you could be on the hook for it.
movin slo
06-02-2005, 01:08 AM
Hi everyone,
Yeah, I know it is illegal to re-dispense drugs. It is just one of the things that
really bother me. As we all know these drugs are very expensive. And yes, I have tried giving them back to pharmacy I got them from and they told me ,Our state law (IA). says that once the med has left the building they can not take them back. Go figure.
I am trying misinaries that go to 3rd world countries to see if they can figure some way to use these meds. Probably not. But can't hurt to ask.
Thanks for all the responses. I was hopeing that I would get an different answer than I knew was comeing.
Thanks all
movin :wave:
Yeah, I know it is illegal to re-dispense drugs. It is just one of the things that
really bother me. As we all know these drugs are very expensive. And yes, I have tried giving them back to pharmacy I got them from and they told me ,Our state law (IA). says that once the med has left the building they can not take them back. Go figure.
I am trying misinaries that go to 3rd world countries to see if they can figure some way to use these meds. Probably not. But can't hurt to ask.
Thanks for all the responses. I was hopeing that I would get an different answer than I knew was comeing.
Thanks all
movin :wave:
jdlfmc
06-02-2005, 09:35 AM
You know there was a big thing around here not to long ago where they found that a chain poharmacy was reselling pills, I had forgot about that, that may be why the state doesn't want you returning them.
Heck I can't tell you how bad I have gotten ripped off over the yrs from getting my meds stolen from me at the pharmacy...
Linda
Heck I can't tell you how bad I have gotten ripped off over the yrs from getting my meds stolen from me at the pharmacy...
Linda
katte 28
06-03-2005, 06:32 PM
I know what you mean. All these meds for FMS...It seems so unreal. I've often thought that I'd like to give my un- used meds away , too. I don't think it's safe , though because doses may vary from one person to the next. Also , flushing them down the toilet , well , that's not a good idea , either. I must admit that the whole situation is a mess , hey. It's illegal to share meds...Hmmm...
katte 28
katte 28