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Group Health members can discard unwanted and expired medications at most Group Health pharmacies. This program gives patients a secure and environmentally sound way to get rid of unneeded medications. See Group Health Pharmacies for a list of participating Group Health pharmacies in Washington state.
This program provides an alternative to tossing unwanted medications down the drain, toilet, or in the garbage, where they end up in waterways and landfills. The pharmaceutical waste will be incinerated.
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Gather your unwanted medications and other approved items (see list below). Leave the items in the original containers. If you wish, mark out any personal information on the container. |
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Take the items to one of the disposal locations during regular pharmacy hours. The blue metal disposal unit is in the pharmacy's customer service waiting area and resembles a postal box. If you have questions, ask the pharmacy staff. |
What You Can and Can't Dispose
| Yes, you may discard these items: |
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Prescription medications (except narcotics) |
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Over-the-counter medications |
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Medication samples |
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Veterinary medications |
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Vitamins |
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Medicated ointments and lotions |
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Inhalers |
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Liquid medication in glass or leak-proof containers |
| No, the program doesn't accept these items: |
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Needles |
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Thermometers |
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IV bags |
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Bloody or infectious waste |
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Personal care products |
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Controlled substances (prescription narcotics) |
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Hydrogen peroxide |
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Empty containers |
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Business waste |
Participating agencies in this effort include the Washington State Department of Ecology, Citizens for Resource Conservation, King and Snohomish counties' public health departments, and the Group Health Community Foundation.
If you live in Washington state and there isn't a medication disposal site near you, call the Washington Department of Ecology's toll-free resource line at 1-800-RECYCLE to learn how you can dispose of medications.
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National Awards for GHC
Medicine Return Program |
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The American Health Insurance Plan Foundation has recognized Group Health as a 2008 finalist for its Innovate Program award. Also, the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association recently recognized Group Health and Pharmaceuticals in the Home: A Return Mechanism (PH:ARM) with an Effective Partnership award.
In 2006, Group Health partnered with local environmental and government agencies, collectively called the PH:ARM Team, to pilot a program in 7 of our medical centers to support the return of unused or outdated medicines. The program now operates in all 25 of our Washington state medical centers. |
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