College of Pharmacy to host medication cleanout

April 25, 2017 | Pharmacy |

The College of Pharmacy  facilitated a drive-thru medication cleanout event April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Henry and Grace Farrar Center for Health Sciences on campus.

“By dropping off your unused and expired medications at the medication cleanout program, you are working to prevent abuse, misuse and poisonings while also protecting the local water supply and landfill from potentially dangerous substances,” said Dr. Kaci Bohn, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences.

Participants did not have to leave their car to drop off medications or answer questions. Instead, College of Pharmacy students retrieved all medications from cars as they pulled into the collection area. Rather than flush or throw out medications, all items were turned over to local law enforcement to be destroyed in a manner that is environmentally safe.

“Harding has partnered with the Searcy Police Department and White County Sheriff’s Office since 2012 and gathered more than 500 pounds of medication,” Bohn said. “Due to the overwhelming response from the community, we continue to host an event every spring.”

Prescription medications and samples, non-prescription medications, vitamins and supplements, medications for pets, and nebulizer solutions are acceptable items to drop off. Oxygen tanks, IV fluid bags, and nebulizer or blood glucose machines are not collected. All medications should be brought in their original containers. All patient identifying information will be immediately removed.

The first medication cleanout event occurred in Amarillo, Texas, Sept. 12, 2009. Since that time, there have been 40 medication cleanout events with more than 24,000 pounds of medication collected.