NHRMC Outpatient Pharmacy Offers New Drop Box for Unused Medications

WILMINGTON, N.C. April 03, 2017 – To support the ongoing efforts of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center and South East Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC) Opioid Harm Reduction Initiative, the NHRMC Outpatient Pharmacy now has a medication disposal drop box available to patients, caregivers and visitors. This drop box provides patients with a convenient location to safely and securely dispose of unused medications, both prescription and over the counter, to prevent their potential misuse or improper disposal.

The medication drop box is located in the lobby of the NHRMC Outpatient Pharmacy on the main campus and is available free of charge Monday through Friday from 8 am to 7 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. Visitors can park in 15-minute spaces directly in front of the main patient discharge entrance and proceed inside to the nearby Outpatient Pharmacy.

The drop box marks the fifth location in New Hanover County for community members to appropriately dispose of unwanted medications. As prescription drug abuse and the opioid epidemic continue to be significant issues in our region, this medication drop box demonstrates another step NHRMC is taking to partner with local and county agencies to support our community in combating this overwhelming issue through development of a county-wide medication disposal strategy.

“NHRMC is excited to offer this needed service to our community,” said NHRMC Network Director of Pharmacy Services Eddie Seijo. “Unused medication within homes has the unfortunate potential for misuse or to be taken accidentally. This medication disposal drop box will help our community by giving an avenue to properly dispose of these medications.”

For more information on medication drop boxes in our area, visit www.nhrmc.org/about/community-resources/medication-disposal.

SOURCE: New Hanover Regional Medical Center