Editorial,

It will soon be much easier for Americans to safely dispose of unwanted medications. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) just announced rules allowing participating pharmacies, certain hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities to collect medication for proper disposal. The rules go into effect next month.
 
“Patients already trust their pharmacist and visit them on a regular basis,” says Amy Tiemeier, Pharm.D., BCPS, associate professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. “With these new rules, pharmacies have the opportunity to play an even larger role in the health and well-being of their community.”
 
Americans spend nearly $1,100 per person on prescription and over-the-counter medications every year, and much of it is left in cabinets, drawers, or forgotten. Some of those medications can be the target for thieves. Police say a vast majority of heroin and other narcotics abusers start their addictive behavior with prescription pain medication.
 
“Medication abuse often starts with theft from the homes of family and friends,” Tiemeier says. “Unfortunately, those medications act as a gateway to illegal narcotics like heroin or cocaine. Removing unwanted medications from your home helps protect not only your family, but the entire community.”
 
Tiemeier advises patients to check with their pharmacist to see if they will be participating in the disposal efforts.  Until then, the best way to dispose of medication is at a permanent disposal site or at the next nationwide take back event on Sept. 27. The College maintains MedDisposal.org. Among the features of the website is a listing of the sites accepting medications in September, and an interactive map showing the permanent medication disposal locations in the St. Louis region.   
 
“All of us should look at our medications,” Tiemeier says. “If they’re no longer needed, expired, or could be stolen, take them to a participating pharmacy once the rules go into effect or utilize one of the many permanent disposal sites. Don’t leave medication sitting at home. It can weaken over time, lose effectiveness, and prevent you from reaching your health goals.”
 
These new rules will take time to be fully implemented in the community. Many are seeing the new rules for the first time today.
 
“The addition of medication disposal at the pharmacy removes the burden of a special trip to a police station or other secure disposal facility,” Tiemeier says.
 
Tiemeier is available today to give your audience a pharmacists’ perspective on the new regulations. 
Full details on the DEA announcement can be found here:http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2014/September/14-ag-947.html
 
About St. Louis College of Pharmacy: Founded in 1864, St. Louis College of Pharmacy is the region’s only independent college of pharmacy. The College is the third oldest continuously operating and 10th largest college of pharmacy in America. Founded by luminaries such as Henry Shaw, St. Louis College of Pharmacy has been partnering with other recognized leaders to care for the health of our region’s citizens for 150 years. Located in the heart of one of the world’s finest biomedical research and patient-care centers, the College provides innovative education, research, and career opportunities for students. The College is viewed by leaders of other premier academic and health care organizations as a critical component needed to deliver high quality patient-centered care. The curriculum integrates the liberal arts and sciences alongside introductory and advanced practice experiences where students can develop expertise and become leaders in the profession and their communities. Beginning in the fall of 2014, the curriculum will expand to three undergraduate years and four years of the professional program. Graduates will earn a Bachelor of Science degree after four years, and a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) at the completion of their studies. The College admits students directly from high school and accepts transfer students and graduates from other colleges and universities. More than 1,300 students are currently enrolled from 28 states and several countries, including Canada, China, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, and Vietnam. College alumni practice throughout the nation and in 13 different countries, providing a strong network to assist students with their goals. Additional information is available at www.stlcop.edu.
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