MedSafe ensures safe disposal of medications

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base personnel may now safely turn in unused or expired medication at a MedSafe drop box located in the lobby of Building 1900.

Controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter medicines are accepted.

“The MedSafe container provides a safe and easy way for individuals with base access to dispose of unused or expired medications,” said Master Sgt. Cheryl Broom, 66th Security Forces Squadron Installation Security superintendent. “The container is located in the lobby of the 66th Medical Squadron building near the pharmacy.”

Anyone interested in disposing of medication may do so Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when the clinic is open. The base clinic is closed the first Friday of every month.

“Removing unused or expired medication from the home is an effective way to help prevent substance abuse,” Broom said. “It also provides personnel a way to dispose of unwanted prescriptions more often than the twice a year Drug Take Back days.”

Items accepted in the MedSafe container include tablets and capsules of any kind in prescription bottles, solutions, suspensions and elixirs in the original prescription bottle, as well as suppositories and patches.

Not accepted in the container are batteries, inhalers, medical devices, illicit medications, hazardous materials or chemicals, and syringes of all kinds.

Officials said certain medications could be disposed of in the trash when done so appropriately.

“Medication powders or liquids can be thrown away when mixed with coffee grounds, cat litter or some other undesirable substance and then thrown in the trash,” Broom said. “It’s also important when throwing away medications that individuals remove any personal information prior to disposing.”

Officials note that disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash may pose potential safety and health hazards.

For further information on MedSafe or safely disposing medications, contact Police Services at 781-225-5605.