Meijer prepares for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Meijer is reminding consumers that if clearing out their medicine cabinets or disposing of unused or expired medications is on their agenda, they can stop by one of its pharmacies to do so.

This comes on the heels of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Oct. 26, which the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer said it expects to help shoppers dispose of more than 8,000 lbs. of forgotten or potentially-harmful medications.

Since installing kiosks in each of its 246 pharmacy supercenters in February, Meijer has collected more than 20 tons of unwanted medications, the company said.

"Having a safe and easy way to clean out our medicine cabinets and drawers is the best way to keep unused prescription drugs from finding their way into the wrong hands," Jason Beauch, the vice president of Meijer Pharmacy said. "If you live near any Meijer store in the Midwest, then you have a convenient way to properly dispose of any unwanted or expired drugs, removing the risk of unforeseen accidents in your home. This weekend is a great example of the community coming together to help keep our families and neighbors safe from potential public health hazards."

Customers can access the kiosks for disposal year-round during normal pharmacy hours.

Once medications are dropped into the kiosks, Meijer’s pharmacists follow procedures to properly document, transport and dispose of the medications on a regular basis, and is complies with the safety guidelines established by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and HIPAA privacy laws.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.