Pharmacy Services

Saturday, October 23rd is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at University Hospitals – Find a Collection Site Near You

This year’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in October 2021 marks University Hospitals’ first system-wide participation in the event. Select University Hospitals locations will host booths where patients can bring medications for proper disposal. An ambulatory care pharmacist and a law enforcement officer will staff each booth. Law enforcement will be responsible for taking and discarding collected medications. The pharmacist will be present to discuss methods of drug disposal when take-back events are not available and to answer any general medication-related questions.

When: Saturday, October 23rd, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Bring unused and expired medications to any of 8 approved University Hospitals Collection Sites.

Find a Collection Site

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a no-questions-asked biannual event (held in April and October) where communities throughout the country set up collection sites for the safe disposal of unused or expired prescription drugs. Proper disposal of unused drugs can prevent accidental poisoning, misuse and overdose.

Since the majority of people who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from family and friends, often from home medicine cabinets, the Take-Back Day event provides Americans with an opportunity to prevent drug addiction and deaths due to overdose while also helping to protect the environment. In addition, the event serves to educate the general public about medication abuse. Collection sites are held at hospital, retail and clinic pharmacies, as well as law enforcement facilities.