Health Product Stewardship Association
Ontario Medication Returns Program
All prescription drugs, as well as
over-the-counter drugs and natural health
products in oral dosage form are now part
of a new stewardship program, the Ontario
Medications Return Program (OMRP).
What is OMRP?
The Ontario Medications Return
Program is the safe and easy way to dispose
of medications we all have in our homes.
The purpose of the OMRP is to recover
drugs that are expired or no longer needed
and prevent them from being disposed of in
the garbage or poured down sewers and
drains.
Why health products?
Keeping medicines around the house is
not safe, especially if you have
children/teenagers who could take the
medicine by accident. Expired medications
can be ineffective or even toxic. Prescription
drugs, including over-the-counter
medicines, can also be subject to reuse,
misuse, theft and abuse. Flushing your
medicines down the toilet or drain, or
tossing them in the garbage, is not
recommended.
Securing medications in the home
Current child-resistant packaging,
while helpful, is not alone sufficient to
prevent children’s/teens access to
medications. You can have an immediate
impact by securing all medications in the
home in a safe and secure location which is
out of sight.
Questions? Call your pharmacist or send us an e-mail at
[email protected]
Health Product Stewardship Association(HPSA) is a not-for-profit
association funded and governed by the health products
industries.
How do I dispose of medicines?
Just take the medications in their
original containers (plastic bottles or blister
packs, but not outer packaging), remove any
personal identification, such as your name,
and stop by one of the participating
pharmacies across the province. Drop off
your bag with the pharmacist. Not sure
where to go? Visit www.healthsteward.ca for
the pharmacy nearest you.
medications, according to health and
environmental regulations.
What about needles, syringes or other
sharps?
This program is for medications only; a
sharp disposal program is available as well,
ask your pharmacist for sharps approved
containers.
What happens to my medicines?
The OMRP will ensure the safe and
appropriate storage and disposal of all your
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6 The HUB -September 2015