pittpharmacy_silverscripts_2016PittPharmacy’s Class of 2019 provided Drug Take Away Envelopes to local seniors this November in an effort to educate our local communities on safe medication use and disposal. Thanks to generous donations from CVS Health and Sharps, Inc., over 500 envelopes were available for distribution at 14 local senior centers in and around the city of Pittsburgh.

Patients were able to place unused or expired prescriptions, over-the-counter medications or controlled substances inside the prepaid postage envelopes. A qualified facility receives the envelopes and properly disposes of the unwanted medications preventing unused medications from reaching the hands of children or pets and from entering the water supply.

While many local police stations and pharmacies take back unwanted medications, PittPharmacy student Andrea Groves identified that many seniors may not have a way to get to designated drug take back locations. Groves’ work and excitement upon receiving the donations was shared by her classmates, breaking down the barriers of transportation and funds necessary for seniors wishing to dispose of their medications properly.

Photo above: PittPharmacy students Rami El Chammas, Andrea Groves, Megan Sybeldon, Erika LeBakken, Vincent Shaffer, and Connor Kelley

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