Hurlburt pharmacy provides year round drug-take back system

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD. Fla --  Hurlburt Field pharmacy set up a MedSafe box in the waiting area June 16, 2015.

The implementation of the MedSafe program has enabled the pharmacy to take back more medications with less hassle.

“Any kind of medication can be dropped off,” said Tech. Sgt. Christina Easter, NCO in charge of pharmacy services with the 1st Special Operations Medical Squadron. “Prescribed medicated pills or liquids, over the counter medications and injections are all accepted.”

Even though the injection medications are accepted, the needles used to inject the medicine are not accepted.

“If you have needles from medications that have to be injected, we recommend putting the used needle in a thick plastic container, securing the container with tape and disposing of the container in the trash,” Easter said.

Gasoline cans, soda bottles and laundry detergent bottles are some examples of containers used for needle disposal.

Easter recommends that if a patient has any concerns with turning their medications in in the prescription bottle, they can use a plastic bag.

“The program is anonymous, allowing users to feel comfortable about turning in medications that they are no longer using,” Easter said.

According to the Environment Protection Agency, flushing medications contaminates the water. The MedSafe procedures implemented by 1st SOMDG provides an environment-friendly way for personnel to dispose of medications.

Easy turn-in procedures provide base personnel with an efficient way to dispose of old medications.

“This is a convenient way for people to drop off any medications that they no longer use,” said Capt. Kristofer Yaple, officer in charge with the 1st Special Operations Medical Group pharmacy. “With high tempos within the Air Force Special Operations Command, the convenience of MedSafe box makes it easier for us to keep medications out of our environment and off the streets.”

Disposing of old medicines is a team effort which includes other medical group units.

“I manage the shipment of the medications to its final destination,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Ryan, NCO in charge of medical logistics acquisitions with the 1st SOMDG. “I am the second layer of security for the medications.”

Every two weeks Ryan empties the MedSafe box and ensures the medications are sealed with tampered evident tape and tracked to the final destination to be destroyed.

“Since placement of the box, we have shipped over 1,200 pounds of medication to be incinerated,” Ryan said.

Patrons can dispose of their medications during normal pharmacy business hours.