By Mary Kate Brogan

Virginia Commonwealth University Police and students with VCU School of Pharmacy are encouraging members of the public to bring their unused and unwanted medications to a Drug Take Back Day event this week.

The American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists at VCU and Pharmaceutical Sciences Organization at VCU will host National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Monroe Park (620 W. Main St.). The free community event will promote medication safety, overdose prevention and community wellness through interactive health education and outreach.

Community members can safely dispose of unused or expired medications while exploring a variety of health-focused activities. Event offerings will include a medication safety trivia booth, bone marrow donor swabbing in partnership with Earl Young’s team, and naloxone education and distribution through collaborations with PRN Connect and the Master Center.

“Community-centered healthcare extends beyond hospitals and clinics,” said lead student organizer Vrushali Papaiya, a pharmaceutical sciences major and VCU Honors College student. “Each semester, we use Drug Take Back Day to compile a unique collection of vendors that allow community members to leave feeling supported, informed and equipped to prioritize their health.”

During the most recent Drug Take Back Day in April, VCU collected more than 42 pounds of unwanted and expired medications from community members looking to dispose of them.

By bringing together students, community organizations and local health partners, National Drug Take Back Day aims to increase awareness of safe medication disposal, expand access to overdose prevention resources and empower community members to make informed decisions about their health.

Community members are encouraged to attend and bring any expired or unneeded medications for safe disposal.

This Saturday’s event coincides with National Pharmacy Week, which recognizes the difference pharmacists and pharmacy technicians make for patients and community members as a vital part of the healthcare team. National Pharmacy Week – this year on Oct. 18-24 – spans the third week of American Pharmacists Month each October.

VCU Health has year-round drop-off locations

Do you have expired or unused medication at home?

Self-serve take-back boxes are available at participating VCU Health pharmacies (see below) to help properly dispose of expired or unused medication. These take-back boxes are available year-round and include detailed instructions for properly disposing of medication.

Once the disposed medication has been placed in the take-back box, it will be secured and accessible only to pharmacy staff. 

The following VCU Health pharmacies have self-serve take-back boxes available: 

• VCU Medical Center Gateway Building, 1st Floor Lobby (1200 E. Marshall St.).
• Ambulatory Care Center Pharmacy, 1st Floor (417 N. 11th St.), 804-828-8329. Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
• Children's Hospital of Richmond, Ground Floor (1000 E. Broad St.), 804-828-6293. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
• Short Pump Pavilion, 2nd Floor (11958 W. Broad St.), 804-828-9977. 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.
• South Richmond Pharmacy at Hayes E. Willis Health Center (4730 Southside Plaza), 804-828-8641. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
• Stony Point Pharmacy (9000 Stony Point Parkway), 804-828-8659. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Stay informed, stay healthy. Sign up for VCU Health’s e-mail newsletter.