Penn State Health collected nearly 700 pounds of unwanted, unneeded or expired medications and 14 sharps containers for safe disposal during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 27.
May 31, 2024
The health system accepted the medications and sharps containers at seven locations – Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, Penn State Health Medical Group practices in Mount Joy, Palmyra, Millersville and Nyes Road in Harrisburg and Penn State Health Specialty Services in Camp Hill.
This event was held in partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Derry Township, East Pennsboro Township, East Hempfield Township, Millersville Borough, Mount Joy Borough, Lower Paxton Township and North Londonderry Township police departments.
“By collecting unwanted and expired medications, as well as used needles and syringes, we’re keeping them out of the hands of children and others who could accidentally – or intentionally – harm themselves,” said Deborah Addo, Penn State Health president and chief operating officer. “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days play a key role in making our communities safer and healthier.”
Penn State Health has participated in the events, which take place twice a year, since 2015. Those efforts have collected more than 6,000 pounds of unwanted and expired medications and more than 250 large sharps containers full of used needles and syringes.
In addition, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has offered drug return boxes since 2019 in partnership with the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office. People can use them during regular business hours at these three Hershey locations:
- 30 Hope Drive, inside Entrance B
- Penn State Cancer Institute, near the pharmacy by the main entrance
University Physician Center lobby, Door 4, near the pharmacy