University Times

As part of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)’s national prescription drug take back day, Pitt and UPMC will be collecting unwanted or expired medications Oct. 21. The proper disposal of unused, expired and unwanted medications prevents drug overdoses, illicit use of medications and water pollution.

The University Pharmacy on the first floor of Nordenberg Hall will accept medications 9 a.m-3 p.m. All prescription medications, nonleaking liquids, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, creams, gels, ointments and pet medications will be accepted.

Items that will not be accepted include needles, syringes, diabetic lancets/test strips, inhalers, EpiPens and injectables, IV bags, thermometers and chemotherapy medications.

The Pitt event is sponsored by Student Affairs, the Pitt Police, the School of Pharmacy and the DEA.

UPMC will accept similar items but requires that medications be in their original containers with personal information on labels concealed.

The hours for the UPMC collection are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at most UPMC hospitals and Falk Pharmacy, 2nd floor lobby; Forbes Pharmacy, Oxford Building, 3501 Forbes Ave., 7th floor; Hillman Cancer Center, ground floor atrium; and Forbes Tower main lob-by.