Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has installed two medication disposal drop boxes to offer the public a place to dispose of unused or expired medications. The new drop boxes can be found at MedPark Professional Pharmacy, located in the AAMC Sajak Pavilion, suite 170, 2002 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, Md., and at Arnold Professional Pharmacy, 1460 Ritchie Highway, Arnold, Md.
The medication disposal drop boxes promote the safe collection and proper destruction of unused medications. Medicine placed in trash containers may represent a danger to children and flushing medications should be the last resort due to potential effects on plants, fish and water.
“Our safe medication disposal drop boxes will support Anne Arundel Medical Center’s commitment to the health and safety of our community,” said Jo Deaton, senior director of nursing for Behavioral Health at AAMC. “This important solution also helps protect our community from the threat of prescription drug misuse.”
AAMC’s medication disposal drop boxes are supported through the Anne Arundel County Department of Health’s Opioid Misuse Prevention Program grant, and through partnership with MedPark and Arnold Professional Center pharmacies.
“Two-thirds of teens who report improper use of prescription medications get them from family and friends,” said Acting Anne Arundel County Health Officer Billie Penley. “Conveniently located prescription drop boxes strengthen our efforts to prevent substance misuse. By monitoring our medicine cabinet and disposing of unused medicine, county residents help fight the opioid epidemic and safeguard loved ones.”
The new containers can accept controlled and non-controlled medications in pills, tablets, capsules, as well as ointments, creams, lotions, and powders. There must be no more than four ounces of liquid medication, and the liquids must be in original containers, wrapped in a paper towel and sealed in a plastic bag. Aerosol spray cans, needles, syringes, and home-based medical equipment supplies are not accepted.
For additional medication disposal drop box locations, including drop boxes for home healthcare lancets, needles and syringes, visit the Anne Arundel County Department of Health website, www.aahealth.org.
About Anne Arundel Medical Center
Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), a regional health system headquartered in Annapolis, Md., serves an area of more than one million people. Founded in 1902, AAMC includes a 349-bed not-for-profit hospital, a multi-specialty medical group, imaging and lab services, convenience care clinics, a research institute, a substance use treatment center and health enterprises. In addition to an Annapolis campus, AAMC has outpatient pavilions in Bowie, Kent Island, Odenton, Pasadena and Waugh Chapel. AAMC is nationally recognized for its joint replacement center, emergency heart attack response and cancer care. A leader in women’s services, AAMC delivers the state’s second highest number of babies annually and has a Level 3 NICU. AAMC is among just 6 percent of U.S. hospitals to be designated a Magnet® hospital, the highest-level credential for quality patient care and nursing excellence. As a Most Wired® healthcare organization, AAMC is nationally recognized for using technology to enhance the patient experience. With more than 1,200 medical staff members, 4,700 employees and 1,000 volunteers, AAMC consistently receives awards for quality, patient satisfaction and innovation. To learn more, visit askAAMC.org.
