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‘Dispose of prescription drugs properly’
In light of a recent report from the public that prescription drugs had been found in a public location, the Office of the Attorney General consumer counsel, in partnership with the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s Bureau of Environmental Health and Division of Public Health Services, would like to remind the public to never ingest unknown medicines, especially medicines found in public spaces.
Many drugs may have harmful side-effects that can lead to medical problems and death. Unknown containers of medication can also be subject to contamination and tampering. Prescription medications should only be taken if prescribed by a qualified health professional, and should only be taken as prescribed. Drugs are also subject to expiration.
Unused and expired drugs should always be disposed of promptly and properly. Each year, the Drug Enforcement Administration extends a drug take-back program in the CNMI. Drug take-back programs are the recommended method for safe disposal of unused and expired medications. The public can also return any unused and unwanted medications to any of the pharmacies on island: the CHCC Outpatient Pharmacy, PHI Pharmacy, and Brabu Pharmacy.
For any questions, contact the BEH at (670) 664-4870/2/3/, or email John Tagabuel, director of BEH, at john.tagabuel@dph.gov.mp.
You can also contact Lawrence Pangelinan, chief investigator of AGID, at the Office of the Attorney General at (670) 286-5627, lawrence.pangelinan@cnmioag.org, or Michele Harris, consumer counsel, at (670) 237-7500, michele.harris@cnmioag.org.
For more information about CHCC programs, follow it on Facebook and Twitter at @cnmichcc, check out its website at www.chcc.gov.mp, or call (670) 234-8950. (PR)
