Walter Reed Makes it Easy to Dispose of Prescription Drugs Year-Round

Photo By Vernishia Vaughn | Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ramon Paul, service chief of WRNMMC Ambulatory Procedure Unit, demonstrates how easy it is to safely dispose of unused or expired prescriptions using one of two MedSafe collection bins at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. This year’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Apr. 22. However, Walter Reed reminds its beneficiaries that prescription drug take back is year-round at the medical facility. As a permanent collection site for unused or expired prescription drugs, Walter Reed provides identified collection bins year-round for patients, visitors, and staff to safely drop off unused or expired prescription drugs at the America Pharmacy on the first floor of Building 19 and the Arrowhead Pharmacy on the second floor of Building 9. The permanent year-round collection bins accept all prescription drugs, including pills, capsules, patches, and even liquids.  

BETHESDA, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES

04.20.2023

Story by Vernishia Vaughn 

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

This year’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Apr. 22. However, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is reminding its beneficiaries that prescription drug take back is year-round at Walter Reed.
There are generally two kinds of prescription drug take-back options: permanent collection sites and periodic take-back events.

Both options safely and securely gather and dispose of unused or expired prescriptions, including those that contain controlled substances.
As a permanent collection site, Walter Reed provides identified collection bins year-round for patients, visitors, and staff to safely drop off unused or expired prescription drugs at the America Pharmacy on the first floor of Building 19 and the Arrowhead Pharmacy on the second floor of Building 9.

"The procedure to drop off unused prescriptions is very simple," said Army Lt. Col. Dennis Moon, Ambulatory Pharmacy Services Chief. "It's like a USPS mailbox; pull down the lid and place the unused medication inside."
Moon also said the pharmacy team ensures proper disposal following the regulation once the collection bins are full.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 9 million Americans misused prescription drugs in 2019. Properly disposing of unused or expired prescription drugs is crucial to preventing drug abuse and addiction.
The permanent year-round collection bins at Walter Reed accept all prescription drugs, including pills, capsules, patches, and even liquids.

"If someone finds unused or expired medication, they can take it to the collection bin at any time," Moon said. "The bins are here to help them safely and responsibly get rid of them."

Before disposing medication, the recommendation is to remove all personal information on bottles and packaging. Walter Reed encourages individuals to take advantage of the year-round opportunity to dispose of unused medications safely and responsibly, not only on the one day designated by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

You can find more information on the Military Health System's Drug Take Back Program at https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/Pharmacy-Operations/Drug-Take-Back-Program.

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About Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is one of the nation's largest and most renowned military medical centers. Recently dubbed "The Nation's Medical Center," we represent the joining of the "Best of the Best" in military medicine when National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center came together in September of 2011, to form Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as decreed by the Base Realignment and Closure law of 2005.
We are comprised of nearly 7,100 dedicated staff members who make it their daily mission to achieve the vision and mission of our medical center. Our vision is to serve military families and our nation's active duty, returning war heroes, veterans and our Nation's leaders.
We’re committed to operational readiness, outstanding customer service, and world-class health care delivery for our beneficiaries.

• Date Taken: 04.20.2023
• Date Posted: 04.20.2023 17:36
• Story ID: 443032
• Location: BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US