Most of us have a few expired or unused medications tucked away in the back of a cabinet or drawer. While it may seem harmless to let them sit there, improper storage and disposal of medications can pose serious health and environmental risks. 

At Lakeside Medicine Centre, we’re committed to helping our community stay safe, and that includes helping you dispose of medications the right way. 

Why Proper Medication Disposal Matters 

Expired or unused medications are more than just clutter. They can be: 

• A health risk if accidentally taken by children, pets, or others for whom the medication wasn’t intended 
• A target for misuse, especially in the case of opioids or other controlled substances
• A threat to the environment when flushed down the toilet or tossed in the trash, as pharmaceutical compounds can leach into soil and water supplies 

Safely getting rid of these medications helps protect your family, your community, and the planet. 

What Not to Do 

Don’t flush medications down the toilet unless specifically instructed on the label (which is rare). Flushed drugs can contaminate local waterways. 

Don’t throw medications in the garbage, especially if they’re in their original packaging. This increases the risk of accidental ingestion or diversion. 

How to Properly Dispose of Medications 

The best way to dispose of medications is to return them to a participating pharmacy for safe destruction. Lakeside Medicine Centre proudly offers a free medication return program for the community.

Simply bring your expired or unused medications to our pharmacy, and we’ll ensure they are disposed of in an environmentally responsible and secure manner. 

What can you bring? 

• Prescription medications (including narcotics)
• Over-the-counter medications
• Natural health products and supplements
• Inhalers and liquid medications (in sealed containers)

Please note: We cannot accept needles or sharps through this program, but we can advise you on how to dispose of them safely. 

Remove Personal Information 

Before returning medications, scratch out or remove any personal information on prescription labels to protect your privacy.

Tips for Preventing Medication Waste 

• Only buy or fill the amount of medication you truly need
• Store medications in a cool, dry place out of reach of children and pets
• Regularly check your medicine cabinet and set reminders to go through your supply every six months

If you’re unsure whether something can be returned or how to prepare your medications for disposal, just ask. Our pharmacy team is happy to answer your questions and guide you through the process. 

Bring your expired or unused medications to Lakeside Medicine Centre and let us help you dispose of them safely and responsibly.

Contact us if you have any questions about your unused or expired medications.

Refill on the go with TELUS PharmaConnect. Download it now from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and manage your prescriptions anytime, anywhere.