Unused meds. - Fibromyalgia Message Board

movin slo · 05-29-2005, 10:27 PM

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.

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.

jdlfmc · 05-30-2005, 08:21 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

countrygal · 05-30-2005, 09:04 AM

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, 10:34 AM

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..

bluelakelady · 05-30-2005, 10:58 PM

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