Schnucks introduces medication disposal program

ST. LOUIS Schnucks Pharmacies is introducing RxMEds Take Back, a new program to help its customers dispose of unwanted medications including liquid, capsules and powder drugs.

The program is funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and according to Schnucks director of pharmacy Bob Mueller, it is a pilot program which is the first of its kind in the nation.

“Literally tons of unwanted pharmaceuticals and personal care products enter the environment through sewage each year,” said Mueller. “RxMeds gives our communities the opportunity to take corrective action and help reverse some of the ill effects unwanted medications are having on our water supply and on our environment.” Schnucks will track the product which will enable the EPA to more closely study the amount of medication that is disposed of on a regular basis.

The stores cannot accept any controlled substances, medical equipment or household hazardous waste under law. Customers should bring back the medications in their original container, and for security purposes, customers will be asked to wait as the medication is identified.

On the second and fourth Thursday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., pharmacists in 20 metro area Schnucks stores will accept the medications.

A complete list of stores offering the program is available at Schnuck’s website, www.schnucks.com/pharmacy/rxreturns.asp.

Price Chopper, too, is offering a medication disposal program for its customers in 66 stores with pharmacies. The program will run until Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, and if it succeeds, it may extend beyond, according to Price Chopper’s vice president of pharmacy, Vincent Mainella.