REGINA, Sask. — Saskatchewan’s annual pharmacy-based medication disposal campaign is back, giving residents a safe way to get rid of unused and expired medications before they can be misused, accidentally accessed or enter the environment.
The Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Health relaunched the campaign Oct. 1. It runs through March 31, 2027, with participating pharmacies accepting unwanted medications and sharps at no cost.
“Every pharmacy visit is an opportunity to remind people that medications they no longer need should not sit unused at home,” said Michael Fougere, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan. “Returning unused and expired medications to a pharmacy is a simple step Saskatchewan residents can take to help prevent medication misuse and ensure these products are disposed of safely.”
The campaign first launched in 2022, and Saskatchewan has since collected more than 120,000 kilograms of medication waste through the program. During its first year, medication returns increased 19 per cent compared with 2020, before the pandemic.
This year, it is being promoted through billboards and social media as pharmacies across Saskatchewan encourage residents to make medication disposal part of their routine.
There is no need to wait for a special collection event. Unused or expired medications can be returned directly to a local participating pharmacy.
Fougere said people should remove or scratch out their personal information from medication containers, place the medications in a clear plastic bag and take them to a pharmacy. Pharmacists then place the returned products into secure disposal containers for safe destruction.
“Pharmacy professionals see firsthand the important role medications play in people’s health, and they also understand the risks when medications are used incorrectly or left where they can be accessed by others,” Fougere said. “By bringing unwanted medications back to a pharmacy, Saskatchewan residents can help keep them out of the wrong hands and out of the environment, while pharmacists ensure they are handled and disposed of appropriately.”
