Clarian Health, Indiana Poison Center, Marsh and local health groups host two-day "Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet" event

03/09/2010

Statewide initiative will provide safe and environmentally-friendly way to get rid of expired and leftover prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines

Details

Do you need to clean out your medicine cabinet? In an effort to kickoff National Poison Prevention Week (March 14-20), Clarian Health, the Indiana Poison Center, Marsh Pharmacies, Statewide Medical Services and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management are partnering to provide the two-day "Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet" event on Saturday, March 13 from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday, March 14 from 11am - 5pm

The two-day event will provide central Indiana residents with a safe and environmentally-friendly way to get rid of expired and leftover prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines.

"We are collecting expired and unwanted medications in hopes of reducing the risk of medication confusion and unintentional poisoning," says Barbara Cole, poison prevention coordinator for the Indiana Poison Center at Methodist Hospital. "The more medication you have lying around your home the more likely it is to be a poison hazard. Since medication confusion can affect all of us, it is important that individuals pay attention and read labels before taking anything and make sure to safely dispose of any unwanted or expired medicines."

During this event, individuals will be able to safely dispose of medications that meet the following criteria:

• Pills, capsules and liquids (no needles, inhalers, sharps, or aerosols)
• Medicine must be in original container with original label intact
• Medicines that have the words "toxic," "corrosive," "reactive" or "ignitable" on them will not be accepted
• Only one type of medication can be in a single container – no mixtures
• No pill organizers will be accepted.
• No controlled or illegal substances (check with your regular pharmacist if you're not sure whether a medicine is controlled)

Expired and unwanted medications can be dropped off at any of Indiana's 41 Marsh pharmacies. For the pharmacy location nearest you, visit www.marsh.net. For more information about the "Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet" event, please call Barbara Cole at 317-962-9248. To contact the Indiana Poison Center call 1-800-222-1222 or visit www.clarian.org/poisoncontrol.

CONTACT:
Gene Ford
Senior Public Relations Specialist
Clarian Health
317.962.4576
gford2@clarian.org

About Riley Hospital for Children
As one of the nation's leading pediatric hospitals and Indiana's first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital for Children, a part of Clarian Health, has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families for 85 years. Each year, Riley Hospital and Riley Hospital at Clarian North serve over 215,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Riley Hospital's partnership with Clarian Health, and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, makes it the only comprehensive clinical resource for Indiana's children and the premiere source for health-related information for their parents. From simple care associated with the health and wellness of children and less complex specialty care to the most critically-ill and medically complex cases, Riley Hospital for Children is a national leader. Clarian Health operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law. Visit Riley Hospital for Children for more information.