The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) is once again partnering with the Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP to promote our Medication Disposal Program with our "Keep Them Safe" campaign. The campaign, which started on March 4, highlights the importance of safely disposing of unused or expired medications to ensure you, your family and loved ones are protected from accidentally taking medications that could be harmful.

"Properly disposing of unused or expired medications is extremely important," says Allison Bodnar, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia. "Medications have a very specific purpose and contain ingredients, if used improperly can be very harmful. It is essential that prescriptions be used only by the person for whom they were written and only for the time prescribed. If any medication remains unused, it should be properly disposed of immediately."

Improper disposal of medications may also result in personal information (on labels) being discovered, environmental hazards, drug diversion, or misuse.

"Returning unused or expired medications to your local pharmacy is an easy way to keep ourselves, others, and the environment safe," says Ms. Bodnar. "There is no charge to patients for this service. Pharmacies want to contribute to this program to keep their patients safe."

Pharmacies throughout Nova Scotia will accept your unused or expired prescribed medications (including over the counter medications) and will dispose of them properly. Narcotics and other controlled medications, cytotoxic drugs, and used sharps can also be returned. 

About the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia

The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) is the voice of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Nova Scotia. Its mission is to support the professional and economic interests of its members to advance the practice of pharmacy and improve the health of Nova Scotians.

More information is available at pans.ns.ca

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