Operation medicine cabinet – save seniors from expired medicine

Australian seniors are being urged to dispose of expired or no longer used medications at their local pharmacy as part of a new community service campaign, Operation Medicine Cabinet, initiated by Home Instead Senior Care.

Operation Medicine Cabinet Awareness Week will be held between May and June to help seniors dispose of their unwanted medication in a safe and eco-friendly manner.

“Operation Medicine Cabinet aims to help protect seniors from accidentally using expired medication,” said Home Instead Senior Care director, Martin Warner.

“We also want to create awareness of the correct way to dispose of unwanted medication.

“Throwing old medication away in the trash, for example, may result in the drugs being accidentally swallowed by children or family pets. The drugs could also seep out of their containers, contaminating the soil. 

“Flushing medication down the toilet or the kitchen or bathroom sink can also lead to contamination of the waterways.

“Returning your expired or unwanted medication to a local pharmacy for collection is the safest and most environmentally responsible way to dispose of it, free of charge,” he said.

Home Instead Senior Care franchisees around Australia will team up with their local pharmacies, which will provide a free disposal service for expired medications.

Seniors or their family members will simply need to return their old medication to the counter staff.

Home Instead Senior CAREGivers are trained to help seniors keep track of their medications.

“Our CAREGivers are trained to provide medication reminders, but they can also offer to help a client go through their cabinet in search of expired medications as part of an ongoing effort to keep the household as safe as possible,” Mr Warner explained.