Drug Take Back at Freedom Crossing

Courtesy Photo | The Department of Pharmacy at William Beaumont Army Medical Center will hold a Drug Take Back event outside the Freedom Crossing Pharmacy, Fort Bliss, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

10.13.2016

Story by Marcy Sanchez  

William Beaumont Army Medical Center

The Department of Pharmacy at William Beaumont Army Medical Center will hold a Drug Take Back event outside the Freedom Crossing Pharmacy, Fort Bliss, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The take back will allow individuals wishing to discard expired, unneeded or unused medications, to drop off the medications, in suitable containers, for proper disposal of the drugs.

“Any prescription, even those prescribed from other places we can accept,” said Capt. Raina Covington, chief, outpatient pharmacy, WBAMC. “The take back is not limited to prescribed adult medications. Staff will also be accepting over the counter medications, vitamins, children’s medications and animal medications.”

Certain items such as suppositories may also be dropped off so long as they are still sealed in packaging. For loose medications a sealable container is required, such as re-sealable zipper storage bags.

“We can also take back controlled medications as well,” said Covington, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Items that will not be accepted include bio hazardous materials such as syringes, thermometers or bandages. Also, illegal substances cannot be disposed at the collections site.

“Drug Take Back events are a great chance for TRICARE beneficiaries and anyone else to get rid of their unused, unwanted and expired prescription drugs,” said Dr. George Jones, chief of the Defense Health Agency Pharmacy Operation Division. “Getting these drugs out of your medicine cabinet decreases the risk of abuse or accidental misuse, and proper disposal minimizes any environmental damage.”

Over the last 10 take-back days over 5.5 million pounds of unused medication has been collected in the Department of Defense. Take-back events like these support safe environments in households.

For those unable to make the drug take back event, pharmaceutical disposal bins are also available year-round at WBAMC’s main entrance and the Spc. Hugo V. Mendoza Soldier Family Care Center.

For more information, contact 742-2625.

• Date Taken: 10.13.2016
• Date Posted: 10.13.2016 17:41
• Story ID: 211950
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, US