Vermont Business Magazine With National Poison Prevention Week kicking off, local Kinney Drugs pharmacists are hoping to prevent several common situations such as:
-
Someone taking a medication prescribed for another person,
-
A child getting into a medicine cabinet,
-
Or an expired sterile product becoming contaminated with bacteria (especially eye drops or liquids).
In addition, some expired/degraded drugs may give off toxic byproducts, potentially causing nausea, vomiting, or other side effects.
In 2024, more than two million poisonings were reported to the National Poison Data System, and about 80% were unintentional. That’s one poison exposure every 15 seconds!
“Previously, law enforcement officials were required to sit in our stores to collect unwanted or expired medications. Now, we’re seeing many more people using our free and anonymous kiosks,” said Kinney Drugs Vice President of Healthcare Operations Shannon Miller, PharmD, RPh.
Kinney is sharing three simple steps to dispose of unwanted medications safely and help prevent accidental poisoning:
-
Clean out your medicine cabinet and dispose of medications the right way.
Unwanted or expired medications should not be thrown in the trash – where they could fall into the wrong hands – or flushed – where they could contaminate groundwater. Instead, use a medication collection kiosk at any Kinney Drugs during regular pharmacy hours. Kiosks are FREE, anonymous, safe, and easy to use. (Please note: Collection kiosks do not accept needles/sharps, illegal substances, or personal care/household products.)
-
Take medications exactly as directed — and ask us what to watch for.
If something is new, confusing, or you’re taking multiple medications, ask our pharmacists to help you avoid mix-ups and drug interactions.
-
Prevent double-dosing and mix-ups at home.
Common causes of accidental poisoning include taking a medication twice, taking doses too close together, taking the wrong medication, or dosing errors with liquids. Use a weekly pill organizer, set phone reminders, keep medicines in their original labeled containers, and use the dosing device that comes with the medication (not a kitchen spoon). If you’re unsure whether you already took a dose, call your pharmacist before taking more.
Miller said: “Accidental poisonings happen every day but are actually highly preventable. If you have old prescriptions or OTC medications sitting at home, that’s a risk. We want to help people safely get rid of them, so no one gets hurt.”
If you only remember one thing:
If a child, teen, or adult may have been poisoned, call Poison Control right away: 1-800-222-1222. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7.
About Kinney Drugs: Founded in Gouverneur, NY in 1903, today the independent, employee-owned company operates 95 stores in New York and Vermont. Kinney Drugs is part of the KPH Healthcare Services family of companies, a national provider of pharmaceutical and healthcare services with complementary businesses in both the retail and commercial segments of the industry. KPH is comprised of eight divisions: (1) Kinney Drugs, a chain of full-service drug stores located throughout New York and Vermont; (2) HealthDirect Pharmacy Services, which serves long-term care and alternative care needs; (3) ProAct, Inc., a pharmacy benefit management company with sales offices throughout the country and a mail-order pharmacy; (4) Noble Health Services, a specialty pharmacy that dispenses medications used to treat complex and chronic diseases; (5) Kinnect™, an on-site clinical care pharmacy; (6) Aristacare, an infusion therapy pharmacy; (7) HomeLife specialized nursing support for in-home infusion services; and (8) Kinney Homecare, a durable medical equipment company. KPH Healthcare Services is an employee-owned company with approximately 4,500 employees that provides the highest quality pharmacy and healthcare services. Every aspect of KPH’s business is guided by the values of excellence, moral responsibility, and community spirit. Learn more at www.kinneydrugs.com.
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
