Group recommends disposing of old medications

Whether a person obtains their medications from a Canadian internet pharmacy or a traditional brick-and-mortar location, they should discard any old or unused medications, according to one pharmacist group.

The American Pharmacists Association recently issued a statement warning individuals of the dangers associated with keeping old prescription drugs in the medicine cabinet past their expiration date or need. First of all, old pills can lose their potency. Furthermore, drugs left in medicine cabinets have the potential to be misused by family members.

"Over the course of a year, we can accumulate many medications to treat colds, headaches and infections, as well as more serious conditions," stated Thomas Menighan, CEO and executive vice president of the association. "These medications play an important role in helping patients obtain better health and wellness, but if we do not store and dispose of them properly, they can become a hazard."

He added that non-prescription drugs may be disposed of in the trash, while more serious medications should be taken to specialty disposal locations, which are often organized by local communities. Furthermore, if a person is unsure about the status of their medication, they should talk to their pharmacist.