Pharmacy offers drop off for unwanted medications

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  • By Staff Reports
  • 47th Fyling Training Wing Public Affairs Office
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  For the first time in its history, Laughlin's pharmacy offers a drop off for unwanted prescription medications.

Annually, the Drug Enforcement Agency picks up 1.2 million pounds during two, one-day drives called Drug Take Back Day.

However, the Laughlin pharmacy felt it was important to give people a year round option for disposing of prescription drugs.

"Supporting the one-day drive is important to us, but we want to give people an avenue to be able to turn in year-round," said Maj. Daniel Oh, 47th Medical Group pharmacist.

This new self-service collection receptacle will be located at the Laughlin Pharmacy entrance and is open during pharmacy hours.

People aren't restricted to just prescription drugs, but all non-controlled and controlled prescriptions along with over-the-counter medications can be dropped off at the receptacle, Oh said.

One of the goals of the receptacle is to reduce the potential for accidental poisoning of children or pets, said Oh. "Once a prescription is past its use date, there is no reason to have it in the home," he said.

If you have questions or concerns about proper medication disposal procedures, please contact any member of the Laughlin pharmacy staff at 298-6451 or visit the Federal Drug Administration's website at www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou.