Please Return Unused Medications to the Drug Store.
(Published January 28, 2013)
 
Collection of leftover medications
Sometimes, you get over an illness before taking all medications you have purchased for it, and you put the remaining pills into the trash can, or pour the remaining liquid medication down the kitchen sink. Doctors say that it is not good to reuse leftover medications for what seem like similar symptoms just on your own judgment. If they are thrown into the trash or discarded haphazardly, leftover medications can cause serious environmental pollution, harming the soil and water, as they do not easily dissolve like other chemicals.
 
In April 2009, the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) launched a campaign for the collection of leftover medications and their bottles under the Green Health, Green Life Program. This reporter checked to see how well the campaign is going on with the cooperation of five drug stores in Onam-eup, Namyangju.
 
The drug stores said that they were keeping a box or a bag for collection of leftover medications. The medications thus collected are sent periodically to the local association of pharmacies or pharmaceutical firms, and then to the Namyangju Community Health Center. However only one of the five drug stores had put up a relevant notice on the wall.

◇ A box for collection of leftover medications ⓒ Gyeonggi Junior Reporter Lee Da-in

◇ A notice about collection of leftover medications ⓒ Gyeonggi Junior Reporter Lee Da-in
 
According to the Namyangju Community Health Center, leftover medications sent by drug stores and pharmaceutical firms are incinerated periodically by a private business. Concerning the campaign, which is led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, no details of plans for 2013 have yet been fixed.
 
Lee Eun-jeong, a pharmacist at one of the five drug stores in Onam-eup said, “A doctor prescribes medications for a given period of time. It is not good to re-use the leftover medications for a symptom that the patient may think is similar to a previous one on his own judgment, as his body status may change. Generally, pills may be reused for a similar symptom within 6 months, and a liquid or powder medication or eye drop within one month. However, the safest way is to get a new prescription from the doctor.”
 
In 2012, the Seoul regional headquarters of the NHIC carried out a publicity campaign, setting the last day of each month as the day for collection of leftover medications.
 
So, just take your leftover medications to a nearby drug store. This small step will go a long way toward conservation of nature.◇ Reporter Lee Da-in interviewing a pharmacist ⓒ Gyeonggi Junior Reporter Lee Da-in
 
ⓒ G-News Plus | Lee Da-in leedain02@naver.com
 
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