Allegheny Health Network Encourages Safe Medication Disposal Ahead of ‘National Drug Take Back Day’

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Press Releases

PITTSBURGH-As 'National Prescription Drug Take Back Day' approaches on October 29^th, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) officials are reminding Western Pennsylvania residents of the importance of properly disposing of unused or expired medications.

AHN offers a convenient and secure solution for residents year-round through its network of permanent drug take-back boxes located at nine AHN locations. Accepted at the take-back boxes are unused or expired prescription medication (including Schedule II-V controlled substances), unused or expired over-the-counter medications and pet medication. Not accepted are Schedule I controlled substances, illegal drugs, thermometers, aerosol cans, inhalers, needles, lotions/liquids or hydrogen peroxide.

The Pennsylvania Drug Take Back Program has facilitated the installation of prescription drug take-back boxes in communities throughout the state. Nationally, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) holds "National Prescription Drug Take Back Day" twice per year. The DEA reports thousands of tons of drugs have been collected and properly disposed of through this effort.

As the drug overdose epidemic persists, more than 107,000 deaths were reported in the U.S. in 2023, according to the CDC. Drug take back programs encourage the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction.

"Safe and accessible medication disposal is a crucial step in protecting our communities from the dangers of opioid addiction and overdose," said Laura Mark, MS, PharmD, FASHP, vice president of pharmacy, AHN. "We are pleased to offer these convenient locations across our footprint for our patients and the community to responsibly dispose of unused and potentially addictive medications."

AHN Drug Take-Back Box Locations

· AHN Allegheny General Hospital (Nearby parking services in Snyder Pavilion)

· AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital (Main Hospital Lobby)

· AHN Cancer Institute - Butler (Main lobby)

· AHN Forbes Hospital (Nearby Visitor Entrance D)

· AHN Grove City (Switchboard Lobby)

· AHN Jefferson Hospital (Main hospital lobby)

· AHN Saint Vincent Hospital (Main hospital lobby)

· AHN West Penn Hospital (Nearby onsite pharmacy, 1st floor)

· AHN Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion (Nearby onsite pharmacy, 1st floor)

To locate other drug take-back receptacles throughout Pennsylvania, visit www.ddap.pa.gov/Prevention/pages/drug_take_back.aspx. To learn more about addiction medicine at AHN, visit https://www.ahn.org/services/medicine/center-for-inclusion-health/center-for-recovery-medicine.

###