Program offers drug disposal

A new drug disposal program set to begin Monday should make it easier and safer for Iowans to get rid of unused medications.

Under the TakeAway Environmental Return System, Iowans can take prescription or over-the-counter drugs to participating pharmacies. The drugs will be sent to Sharps Compliance Inc., which burns the drugs in an energy-producing process at its Texas plant.

Rani Shen Elkin, a pharmacist at A Avenue Pharmacy, 717 A Ave. NE, which plans to participate, said flushing and other past disposal methods are not environmentally safe. Medications enter the sewer system and cannot be completely removed from the water, she said.

Even the latest recommendation to dissolve medications with coffee grounds or cat litter still results in drugs going into landfills.

Both liquid and pill medications will be accepted, but controlled substances, such as Vicodin, will not. Drugs should be brought in their original containers. To find a participating pharmacy,

click here.