IDEM, Marsh Pharmacies to collect unwanted medicine

Partnership aims to to facilitate disposal of pharmaceuticals in a safe, environmentally friendly manner


Who:  The Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Marsh Pharmacies

What: Unwanted medicine collection

When:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2009, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, March 15, 2009

Where:  41 Marsh Pharmacies throughout Central Indiana

This March, Marsh Pharmacies and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) are offering Hoosiers an opportunity to dispose of outdated or unwanted medications in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner. 

Marsh Pharmacies will accept the unwanted pharmaceuticals from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Items that will be accepted include:

. Prescription medications;
. Over-the-counter medications;
. Vitamins and nutritional supplements;
. Veterinary medications; and,
. Sharps or needles.

The following items will not be accepted:
. Controlled or hazardous substances;
. Mixed medications, or medications in alternate containers;
. Medical or household chemicals; and,
. Business waste.

"Pharmaceutical products can cause problems if they are poured down the drain because wastewater facilities are not designed to remove this type of waste," said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "This special collection gives Hoosiers the opportunity to properly dispose of expired or unwanted over-the-counter and prescription medications."

Throwing away pharmaceuticals also poses a hazard because pets and children can be poisoned as a result of accidental ingestion, and patient information displayed on discarded containers increases the risk for identity theft. When turning in prescription bottles, Easterly reminds Hoosiers that they must leave the name of the medication visible on the label but should black out personal information, such as name, address and account number.

Marsh Pharmacy and IDEM are joined by the Indiana Poison Center, CLS/Med-Turn and Statewide Medical Services as sponsors of the unwanted medicine event.

To locate a Marsh Pharmacy location, visit www.marsh.net. Additional information about pharmaceutical and household hazardous waste disposal can be found on IDEM's Recycling Web site at www.recycle.IN.gov/6141.htm.

About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.

About Marsh Supermarkets
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Marsh operates 99 Marsh Supermarkets and five O'Malia's Food Markets in Indiana and Ohio. The largest pharmacy chain based in the State of Indiana, Marsh has forty-one pharmacy locations. Marsh has the distinction of being the first grocery store in the world to use electronic scanners to ring up purchases. Nearly 11,000 employees serve two million customers weekly.

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