Local News

THREE RIVERS HOSPITAL INTRODUCES DRUG TAKE-BACK PROGRAM

Apr 30, 2019

Three Rivers Hospital has launched a free program to help district residents properly dispose of expired medications.

“We are honored to show our continuing commitment to the people in our hospital district with this new, safe, convenient and anonymous disposal site at Three Rivers Hospital for old or unused prescription drugs,” said Commissioner Leslie McNamara.

The hospital began working with American Rx Group last year to bring the program to Brewster, an effort led by Chief Nursing Officer Gretchen Aguilar and Kevin Walker, PharmD, RPh. Funding comes from a $10,000 grant the hospital received from the North Central Accountable Community of Health. In exchange for the grant, Three Rivers Hospital pledged to provide a safe medication disposal method, provide community education about opioids, and increase access to naloxone, a synthetic drug used to help treat opioid addiction.

Area residents can dispose of their medications anytime in the ER at Three Rivers. A metal kiosk is located near the admitting desk in the new emergency room, at the northeast end of the building at 507 Hospital Way.

Board Vice-Chair Vicki Orford was among the first to bring in old medications for disposal.

“What a great service for our district,” Orford said. “Not only can I get rid of my old prescriptions, but now I have a place to get rid of my family's medicine safely. I always felt guilty just flushing them in the bathroom, and I didn't want to put them in the garbage. This takes only a second to drop off and nobody asks any questions.”

The kiosk is securely locked, and a sign on the front explains which medications can be accepted, and which cannot. Permitted items include prescription pills, ointments, and patches; pet medications; vitamins; and over-the-counter medications. Items that cannot be dropped into the kiosk include syringes, inhalers, aerosol cans, thermometers, lotions or liquids, and hydrogen peroxide.